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Challengers turn back Crusaders By TIM PYLE CENTRAL POINT - The nemesis beaten, the streak broken, Cascade Christian volleyball coach Susan Gmur looked like she had just survived a marathon - and won. After laying a 15-1 spanking on St. Mary's in Game 1, the Challengers, No. 1 ranked in Class 2A, dropped a 15-6 Game 2 at Scenic Middle School on Tuesday night. In danger of becoming the No. 10 Crusaders' 69th consecutive Southern Cascade League victim, Cascade Christian rallied from deficits of 5-0, 9-6 and 11-9 to claim an epic, 15-13 Game 3, much to the roaring delight of a boisterous home cheering section. "This was the last opportunity for our seniors to beat St. Mary's at home," said Gmur, in her fourth year directing the Challengers. "They had a goal, and they accomplished it." Cascade Christian (13-1 overall, 4-0 SCL) looked like it was going to make quick work of the younger Crusaders (9-6, 3-1 SCL) after scoring 15 unanswered points to close Game 1. But outside hitter Amy Roseberg said she and her fellow Challengers knew the match would still be a dogfight. "They're a comeback team," said Roseberg, one of four Cascade Christian seniors who had never defeated St. Mary's in league play. Sure enough, the Crusaders rattled off four straight points to begin Game 2. The Challengers pulled within 7-6 before 10 hitting errors and a determined St. Mary's squad converged to score eight unanswered and force a decisive Game 3. "Game 1, we were a little intimidated," said fifth-year Crusaders coach James Joy, whose team gets a home rematch Oct. 23. "I'm really happy with the way we responded in Game 2." St. Mary's momentum carried over to Game 3, which junior defensive specialist Kristina Easton began with five consecutive service points. Cascade Christian responded to take a 6-5 edge on senior outside hitter Krystle Holtz's own batch of five straight service points. With the tension building, diving saves multiplied and rallies extended. The Crusaders opened up 9-6 and 10-7 advantages before the tide permanently turned in the Challengers' favor. Senior middle hitter Kristin Salamone, who had four kills and three blocks to lead the Game 1 charge, recorded two service points to tie it at 11-11. St. Mary's took its last lead at 12-11 on the eighth of junior outside hitter Libby Trum's team-leading nine kills. On Roseberg's serve, junior defensive specialist Janee Johnson hit a winner to tie at 12-all, senior setter Whitney Brookins dumped to make it 13-12 and junior outside hitter Vickie Sherman slammed to earn a 14-12 advantage. Two sideouts preceded Trum's last kill, making it 14-13. Then, off of junior middle Kayleen Conley's serve, Sherman spiked from the left side to clinch it for Cascade Christian. "We just hung together," said Roseberg, who contributed four kills in Game 1. "We wanted it a lot." Joy complimented the Challengers on their monumental victory. "They've wanted this for a long time," said Joy, who got 20 assists from co-captain Melissa Anderson, a junior setter. "I don't know that you're gonna find a better rivalry in Southern Oregon volleyball." Gmur, who called the win "that much sweeter" after finding out the length of the Crusaders' streak, was relieved that Cascade Christian finally pushed over the hump against its archrival. "We've always had these types of matches," she said. "Except this time, it was a different outcome." Reach reporter Tim Pyle at 776-4483 or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.