In a rivalry game as old as time, the Hornets of North Kansas City took on the Lancers of Shawnee Mission East, in a highly touted matchup between a Kansas powerhouse, and a Missouri team playing spoiler.

The Lancers entered the contest with a 3-6 record; however, numbers aren’t always as indicative as they seem.  The combined record of the teams they lost to is 18-3, most of which is only losing to each other.

Early runs against the Lady Hornets are becoming an almost frequent occurrence. To begin the first set, they found themselves at a 12-point deficit, and despite the best of their efforts, the set was dropped 25-16.

However, late in the first set the Hornets began to gain a bit of momentum and the deficit shrunk. That effort was maintained in the second set, and a host of good kills by Yanni Washington kept the contest close. With a total of 7 lead changes, the Hornets grabbed the set lead firmly, 21-18. After a Lancers timeout, the back and forth continued, finally coming together on a big block at the net by Calissa Minatee sealed the deal.

After the 25-23 set loss, it was the Lancers that got it going early, and held a steady 2–3-point lead, until an ace by Minatee injected life into the Hornets, who went on a 5-point run to take the lead, and behind the trio of Minatee, Washington and Reese who each came up clutch, they never relinquished.

With the momentum promptly on the Hornet side, the energy followed, and although back and forth, a lead maintained through the fourth set. A few serving miscues from the Lancers and rotational issues proved to be the deciding factor for a strong Hornet team to rack up kills and ultimately, take the game.

We hope to see you tonight, September 14^th as the Hornets look to go back-to-back at home against Fort Osage.