GLIDE – Glide volleyball overcame a slow start to beat Coquille 3-1 Thursday night in the final match of the regular season. The Wildcats won the Mountain Valley Conference with a 9-1 league record. Glide will play in a conference championship game next Tuesday at home.
In the first set both teams seemed to be evenly matched in a close set that Coquille was able to pull out 25-23. In the second set Glide battled back after going down 14-19, the Wildcats scored 13 of the next 19 points in the game. That included a 6-1 run that helped them take the lead and complete the comeback taking the set 27-25. The Wildcats took over late in the 3rd set and eventually won it 25-21. Glide cruised in the final set 25-19 to win the match 3-1.
“I used to be the varsity coach here about eight years ago but stepped away from that to start coaching six of the seven seniors when they were in 5th grade. I’ve had them on and off for the past eight years, so I’m incredibly close with them, I know them very well and I have a lot of love for them.” Head coach Misti-Kae Bucich said. “Tonight was bittersweet. I’m really proud of them because they are such amazing ladies. I’m happy for them in their next journey. Especially because my daughter (McKya Filley) who I’ve been coaching since the 5th grade is going to be out of the nest. This is it. This is our moment.”
The Wildcats were led by seniors Sierra Mauro who had 33 kills and 15 assists. McKya Filley who is the daughter of head coach Misti-Kae Bucich had 16 kills and 11 digs. Piper Kaul had five aces and 17 assists to go along with Kylie Merlino’s 19 digs.
Bucich explained “Whenever we all work as one, we’re unstoppable. We have such dominant hitters, great passers, and great setters. If we just stick to what we’re good at then we’re a force.”
The Wildcats will play in the first round of the state playoff on October 29th in the round of 16 at home in Glide. Glide is currently ranked 2nd in OSAA rankings.
Scoring
Glide defeats Coquille 23-25, 27-25, 25-21, 25-19