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Kings Christian Crusaders' magical volleyball season comes to end against Selma
The Crusaders, blitzed through the regular season, compiling a 20-4 record and a near-perfect (14-1) East Sierra League campaign as they headed to the CIF Central Section Division 5 playoffs. Kings Christian opened the playoffs at home with an easy win against Delano’s Kennedy High School before hosting Tuesday’s second-round playoff against nearby Selma High School.
“I’m proud of them for fighting all the way through every match,” said an emotional Todd Martin following the loss. There were many reasons for the Crusaders’ court success, he added. “It is working as a team. We have a variety of players who play well in multiple aspects, both offense and defense, and just working together at times especially when we’re short-handed. They’ve been able to play out of position, and they were able to work hard and work together through that.”
Selma eventually defeated the Crusaders in three sets 25-13, 25-21, and 25-23.
The Lady Crusaders fell behind early in the first set, and found themselves unable to force a comeback against the Bears, and lost 25-13. The Crusaders never led the match, and the closest they got was at 8-7 when Laci Rose scored on a solid hit. It wasn’t until Selma led 13-7 that Rose scored the Crusaders' next point on a solid return shot, cutting the gap to 13-8.
The Bears slowly widened the deficit to 20-10 before Kings Christian scored again. Selma eventually outlasted the Crusaders to win the opener.
The local ladies stayed close in the second set, at one point falling behind 17-10 before mounting a spirited comeback, closing the gap to 24-20 before finally succumbing 25-21.
In the third and what was to become the final set, the Lady Crusaders went up early on a Rose score, but her team quickly fell behind 17-6 on some strong play by the Bears.
It was at about that point that the Crusaders mounted their final assault, and at 21-11 with Madyson Rose serving, she and her teammates scored seven straight points to cut the gap to 21-17.
The two teams exchanged points, and the Bears teetered on the edge of victory, leading 24-20. The Crusaders rebounded, scoring three straight points to cut the gap to 24-23 before Selma finally prevailed 25-23.
Martin, despite his players losing the game, was proud of his team. “They’re all willing to learn,” he said. “They played their best when they’re having fun, and they’re always excited to be out there together. It’s been a good group. I’ve been with a lot of them through the three years I’ve been coaching.”
