WAHOO – Class C-1 No. 6 Wahoo overcame a slow start to secure a subdistrict win over the Raymond Central Tuesday night in Wahoo.
The set scores were 18-25, 25-19, 25-15, 25-19.
After an upset victory in the C1-1 subdistrict semifinals, the Mustangs carried momentum into Tuesday’s match. Raymond Central had swept Conestoga on Monday night and quickly took an 8-1 lead in the first set against the Warriors.
“We had a lot of confidence going into it,†Mustangs coach Taylor Vasa said. “They had grit and desire going into that first set, which really carried them through the whole set.â€
Raymond Central continued to dominate the first set, each point crucial to keeping its season alive.
“Knowing the season was on the line was a huge motivator, and I think that really sparked a lot of desire and passion,†Vasa said.
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The Mustangs’ surprising run extended well into the second set, leading 19-16 when Wahoo called a timeout – a turning point in the match.
After the timeout, the Warriors were unstoppable. Wahoo tallied kills, blocks, and three consecutive aces, launching a 12-0 run that closed out the second set and carried momentum into the third.
“We changed our attitude during that timeout,†Wahoo middle blocker Cameryn Sather said. “Our body language was down, but once we focused on supporting and celebrating our teammates, it pushed us to score and finish.â€
The timeout had a profound effect, shifting momentum entirely in Wahoo’s favor. The team’s energy surged with every kill, the gym filled with cheers and celebration from the Warriors and Raymond Central struggled to keep up their optimism.
“I had to remind them to play point by point,†Vasa said. “We needed to keep battling and remember that we’re a good team too.â€
In the end, Wahoo’s height and depth made the difference. Throughout the season, the Warriors have relied on a “three-headed monster†of players — Chloe Kasischke, Gretchen Seagren, and McKenna Smith — to drive their success.
“We got punched in the gut at the start of the season when we lost Josie Larson for the year,†Wahoo coach Katie Peterson said. “We had to find a lineup that gelled, but once we found our rhythm, we never looked back.â€
On Tuesday, the trio combined for 31 kills, but it was Sather who stole the show. The 5-foot-11 junior tallied 15 kills, including the final point of the match.
“Cameryn stepped up huge tonight in the middle with some big-time kills,†Peterson said. “I told the girls to be aggressive at the net, and she made a big difference.â€
As Wahoo advances to district play, their cohesive teamwork may be the key to a deep postseason run.
“We need to remember that everyone is there for you,†Sather said. “If you’re having a bad game, someone will be there to pick you up. Knowing we can rely on each other will be the difference-maker for us to reach the state tournament.â€
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