Mandeville’s volleyball team turned in a gutsy performance Tuesday with a fierce comeback to defeat the defending district champion St. Scholastica Academy Doves, 26-28, 24-26, 26-24, 25-12, 15-11, to open District 5-I play for both clubs.

The two evenly matched squads literally battled point for point in the match played at SSA in front of a large, enthusiastic crowd.

MHS freshman hitter Katie Lindelow came up with numerous kills at crucial times to pace the MHS attack. Lindelow, who banged out a match-high 20 kills, plays with confidence despite only being a freshman. She also sparkled on defense, pulling up 22 digs. Whenever it looked like the Lady Skippers needed a crucial kill, Lindelow’s number was called, being set up by some nice passing.

St. Scholastica Academy'€™s Meghan Clark (6) goes up for a block attempt at the net against Mandeville High'€™s Nichole Freeman (27) in Tuesday'€™s district opener played at SSA. The Lady Skippers took the match 3-2. (Staff Photo by Mike Pervel)

“It is an awesome feeling to beat SSA. They didn’t lose a district game last year, so you have to give us a pat on the back. They have a great team. We feel lucky to have come out on top,” Lindelow said. “Setting and passing was on today. I was just lucky enough to be the one to get some kills. It was all about the team. Everyone played really good.”

SSA looked like it was in control of the match, taking game one, 28-26, in a closely contested game. The Doves followed that up, grabbing game two, 26-24.

Mandeville then managed to regroup, reeling off three consecutive games to take the match 3-2.

MHS survived game three, winning 26-24. With the game tied, 24-24, Lindelow spanked a kill, and Sara Joyner followed serving the game-winner to get MHS back in the match. The Lady Skippers then found some momentum, taking game four, in convincing fashion, 25-12. Leading 21-11, MHS’ Delaney Pittari served three straight points on an unforced error, a Lindelow dink and a kill by Elizabeth Rinaudo. Following a net serve, Lindelow closed out game four with a kill.

In the fifth and deciding game, MHS prevailed, 15-11. The Lady Skippers jumped to an early 2-0 lead on a Mel Gaines’ block and a service point by Rinaudo. With MHS leading 7-4, SSA’s Monique Giarrusso ran off three consecutive points to tie things at 7-7.

Following a serving violation, MHS regained the serve. Lindelow did some damage with her serve, tallying three straight points to give MHS an 11-7 lead. SSA junior Camille Walther stopped the Mandeville run, perfectly placing a ball deep in the right corner to regain serve at 11-8.

Mandeville got the next point on a deflection but then committed an unforced hitting error, to make it 12-9. SSA senior libero Sam Delahoussaye, who topped the Doves with 16 digs, served a point, cutting MHS’ lead to two points.

The next serve went out of bounds, giving the ball back to MHS.

Rinaudo served a point on an unforced error to give the Lady Skippers a 14-10 advantage. SSA then regained serve with Walther doing the honors. Gaines put game five and the match away with an authoritative kill to close out the victory.

MHS coach Christy Sanantonio said the match could have gone either way.

“After we went down 0-2, I told my team to not give up. Mentally, we had to stay focused,” she said.

Sanantonio highlighted the play of Lindelow and Rinaudo.

“If you give Katie (Lindelow) the ball she is going to put it away. Elizabeth (Rinaudo) did a phenomenal job. It was a total team effort with everybody contributing. The match went point for point. I told my team to put this match in their memory banks and think about it for a long time, because I want them to remember this feeling of victory,” Sanantonio said.

Rinaudo, MHS’ senior setter, fashioned 23 assists. Pittari a sophomore, added 22 assists to help set up the Lady Skippers’ hitters. Senior Summer Burglass chipped in with six assists.

MHS senior libero Kana Koenig roamed the court, electrifying the crowd with some athletic, diving saves en route to a match-high 47 digs.

Sophomore Nichole Freeman tallied nine blocks and added five kills. Junior Kelsey Sparks added eight blocks with 10 kills. Rinaudo chipped in with six blocks, while Gaines added two. Gaines also had a strong defensive game with 20 digs.

SSA coach Danny Davis said his team was in a tough pressure match, which will help in the long run. The Doves, who finished 14-0 in district play last season, only have three seniors on this year’s roster after losing the majority of their hitters due to graduation.

“Playing at home, we were able to push a good Mandeville team. After the loss in the third game, it looked like we may have been spent. We came out flat in game four, and in game five we just never picked up any rhythm. It’s early, but I think we showed a lot today. I am confident we will pick it up. We’ll be alright,” Davis said.

SSA junior setter Meghan Clark delivered 32 assists. Junior hitter Kristi Harrison led the Doves with 11 kills. Walther contributed 10 kills and two aces. Senior Shelby Fritscher added 10 digs.