The Peebles volleyball team picked up their first win of the season at White Oak on Tuesday evening in a tightly-contested five-set match that saw momentum go back and forth throughout.

The Indians squeezed out an opening set win, 25-21, and went on a tear in the second set going on long scoring runs on their way to a 25-13 win. All looked to be in the bag, but the wheels fell off in the third set for Peebles.

Despite Peebles holding a lead in the third set, White Oak came back with a vengeance before pulling away for a 25-16 victory and matched that same score in the fourth set, sending the game into the deciding set.

“It was we just fell apart in the third set as a team we were up but then White Oak was just hitting and tipping then we were down on ourselves going into the fourth set but finally came out on top in the fifth set,” Peebles senior libero Hayley Rolfe said.

The final set was close throughout again until Peebles eventually pulled away, taking the final set 15-11 and claiming their first victory in four games.

Rolfe said her team failed to communicate well during the third and fourth sets, but were able to come back together for the final set.

“We finally started to communicate with each other because we struggle with that when we get down,” Rolfe said. But we played our roles that we have and we have fun while doing it because we are scoring and playing our best. Coach usually tells us three seniors to get the energy back up and keep on cheering our team on to keep them pumped up.”

That added responsibility is a roll Rolfe says she accepts with pride.

“For me it’s not difficult [being a leader],” Rolfe said. “I have always been a team leader no matter if I’m out on the court or on the bench always cheering my team on. It is a big responsibility but I can achieve it. I’m just an outgoing person and just want to win.”

Reach Charles Grove at 937-544-2391 or cgrove@civitasmedia.com.

Peebles seniors Kaitlin Toller (blue) and Hayley Rolfe (red) in action earlier this season against Paint Valley.
https://www.peoplesdefender.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_Peebles-Paint-11.jpgPeebles seniors Kaitlin Toller (blue) and Hayley Rolfe (red) in action earlier this season against Paint Valley. Charles Grove | People’s Defender

By Charles Grove

cgrove@civitasmedia.com