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Demons edge Trojans on SEC Day 1
Washington 3-0, Fairfield 2-1, Mt. Pleasant 0-2 at conference tournament
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KEOKUK — Washington, Fairfield and Mt. Pleasant were all in attendance for Day 1 of the 2024 Southeast Conference volleyball tournament in Keokuk on Tuesday night, and by the end of the opening day action, all eyes were on a Union area clash.
Washington and Fairfield met up in the final match of the day, and both came in red-hot. The Demons and Trojans battled it out with a perfect 3-0 record on the line. The two teams swept both of their previous matches before the much anticipated 2023 championship rematch.
The two-time defending champion Trojans came into the final match having beaten both Fort Madison and Keokuk. Fairfield swept the Bloodhounds 25-22, 25-18 in its first match of the day, and followed that up with a 25-18, 25-20 win over the hosting Chiefs.
Washington, meanwhile had taken down another rival, in Mt. Pleasant, with a two-game sweep in the opener. The Demons won sets 25-13, 25-16 over the Panthers. Then, after a first-set scare against Fort Madison, Washington buckled down for the sweep, winning 25-23 and 25-8.
In the big match, Fairfield jumped out to an early lead, dominating the front of the net before the loss of middle hitter Claire Thompson, who went down with injury. After a short pause, the intensity ramped up, and Washington slowly but surely snatched the momentum.
The Demons were down 19-18 when junior Leighton Messinger stepped to the service line. The Demon star wouldn’t relinquish the serve, leading Washington to a 7-0 run and a 25-19 first set victory.
The second-set was a battle to the bitter end. Fairfield turned a 23-22 deficit into a 25-23 win after closing out the final few points to even up the series.
“We came at it with a lot of intensity, and a lot of fire in our belly,” said Trojan head coach Vicki Rebling. “I never doubt that they're going to fight for every point, and they showed that tonight.”
Washington shook off the second set and jumped out to an 8-2 lead in the third, but once again Fairfield made it difficult. The Trojans cut the advantage down to three points, but it was Washington that had enough stamina to close it out, winning the set 15-10 on a kill by Ella Greiner.
“It was a great feeling,” said Washington head coach Aaron Six. “They've been a thorn in our side come tournament play.”
The victory put the Demons in good position, setting Washington up at 3-0 heading into next Tuesday in Burlington.
The only other undefeated team left is the soon-to-be hosting Grayhounds. Mt. Pleasant gave Burlington a test in the Panthers’ final game of the day, falling 25-12 in the first set, but giving the Grayhounds a sweat before bowing out 25-22 in the second.
Neither Mt. Pleasant, Fort Madison or Keokuk picked up a win. Each of those squads played just two games, and will have three on the back end, while Washington, Burlington and Fairfield play just twice next Tuesday in Burlington.
If Washington can take care of Keokuk in its first game next week, the Demons will face Burlington for the championship.
“If you can't get excited for that match, you have some issues,” Six said. “We shouldn't have to do much rah cheers to get them going. They should be fired up.”
Fairfield could play spoiler. If the Trojans go 2-0, including a win against Burlington, and the Grayhounds knock off Washington, the Trojans will still be in contention for a title, via tiebreaker rules.
CURRENT SEC TOURNAMENT STANDINGS
1. Burlington 3-0
1. Washington 3-0
3. Fairfield 2-1
4. Mt. Pleasant 0-2
4. Fort Madison 0-2
4. Keokuk 0-2
