Central A&M responded to an opening-set setback with a strong finish Tuesday night, rallying to defeat Raymond-Lincolnwood in three sets, 22-25, 25-19, 25-15.
After dropping a competitive first set, the Lady Raiders turned the match around over the final two frames, receiving production throughout the lineup and finishing the night with a decisive 10-point victory in the third set.
Lincolnwood struck first in the match, edging Central A&M 25-22 in the opening frame. The three-point margin left little room for error, and the Lancers were able to make enough plays down the stretch to put the Lady Raiders in an early 1-0 hole.
Central A&M, however, responded.
Rather than allowing the first-set loss to carry over, the Lady Raiders found their rhythm in the second. Central A&M evened the match with a 25-19 victory, forcing a decisive third set and shifting the momentum back in its favor.
From there, the Lady Raiders took control.
Central A&M delivered its most convincing performance of the night in the third set, pulling away from Lincolnwood for a 25-15 victory to complete the comeback and secure the match in three.
Junior Mabry Metzger led Central A&M’s attack with 10 kills, while also contributing six digs and two assists. Senior Kaydence Wilkinson was close behind with nine kills, eight digs and a block, giving the Raiders another productive option at the net.
Senior setter Callie Robertson played a major role in directing the Central A&M offense. Robertson finished with 25 assists, four kills and two aces while also recording seven digs. Her 25 assists came shortly after she was recognized for breaking Central A&M’s single-match assists record earlier this season.
The Lady Raiders also received a strong performance from Kenzie White, who recorded five kills, three digs, two blocks and an ace. Lylah Minott added five kills, two blocks and a dig, helping Central A&M establish a presence at the net.
Defensively, Addie Stinson led the Raiders with 11 digs while adding an ace and an assist. Lanae Hanley contributed five digs, two assists and an ace, while Mady Northcraft finished with a kill, an assist, a dig and a block. Shelby Younker chipped in a kill and two digs.
The victory continued a stretch in which Central A&M has shown an ability to respond when challenged. The Lady Raiders also went three sets in their previous victory over Okaw Valley, winning 25-19, 22-25, 25-7.
Tuesday’s match presented a different challenge. This time, Central A&M had to play from behind after losing the opening set. The Raiders answered by winning the next two and outscoring Lincolnwood 50-34 over the final two frames.
With Metzger and Wilkinson leading the attack, Robertson distributing the ball and contributions coming throughout the lineup, Central A&M turned an early deficit into another hard-earned victory.
Final
Central A&M 2, Raymond-Lincolnwood 1
Set 1: Lincolnwood 25, Central A&M 22
Set 2: Central A&M 25, Lincolnwood 19
Set 3: Central A&M 25, Lincolnwood 15
