For The Tribune

MEDORA

The Medora girls volleyball team faced a tough opponent in its season-opener, hosting sectional-finalist Springs Valley at the Hornets Nest.

The Hornets dropped their opener match in straight sets, 25-18, 25-13, 25-15.

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Springs Valley took an early lead in the first game, but the Hornets came back trailing at 21-15.

However, the Hornets couldn’t hold serve and scored just three points to drop the first game.

The Blackhawks controlled the rest of the way as they cruised to the win.

Despite the Blackhawks’ strong third game, the Hornets’ Megan Weddell had a hot streak at the end, scoring 10 consecutive points on her serve.

The Hornets were without two key players on the night, but coach Sara Todd said she felt some of her other players stepped up in the match.

“Tonight we were down two middle hitters,” Todd said. “We had one out with an injury and one out with sickness. We have a stacked schedule at the beginning. Springs Valley is probably one of our hardest games.”

On top of the injuries, the Hornets had players who had to come in and play unfamiliar positions to help their team.

“I think we did well,” Todd said.

“I had three girls out there that were in positions they weren’t supposed to be in. For them to come in and do a job like that was tremendous. We’re only going to get better. I think the girls that were out there did excellent.”

Weddell finished 15 of 17 with four aces serving, while teammates Jadelyn Dean made all eight of her serves with two aces, followed by Avery Carney, who went eight for nine with an ace.

The Hornets were consistent on their hitting, making 43 of 47 with nine aces on the evening.

On the hitting side, Dean was 17 of 22 with one ace, Weddell was nine of 13 with an ace, and Katie Stewart was four of four with two aces.

The Hornets finished 40-53-5 in hitting for the evening.

On Thursday, the Hornets will travel to West Washington.