Published: October 21, 2009 03:59 am      

Massey's bid for 700th volleyball win put on hold

Next chance comes Monday in rematch with North Scott

By Scott McNeish

Herald Assistant Sports Editor

CLINTON — No. 700 has to wait.

Until next week or next year, but nonetheless Clinton volleyball coach Mark Massey remained at 699 career victories after Tuesday night's 21-25, 25-18, 24-26, 25-22, 8-15 loss to North Scott in the regular-season finale at Yourd Gymnasium.

“At times it can be a distraction,” Massey said. “But I feel good about 699. And it's not about me, it's about the kids.”

Clinton (13-12, 4-5 Mississippi Athletic Conference) lost its fourth consecutive league match and finished sixth in the MAC standings. North Scott (7-18, 5-4) finished tied for fourth place.

The River Queens held an 11-3 lead in Game 1 and 22-19 and 24-23 leads in Game 3. Each time, however, the advantages dissolved.

“After mistakes happened, we let them get to us,” said Clinton hitter Mallory Voss, who had seven kills and three service aces. “It's been happening like that for most of the season. We always seem to play at the other team's level, and we need to play our game.”

In Game 5, Voss' kill made it 7-all, but North Scott closed the match with an 8-1 run.

“We were able to keep fighting back,” North Scott coach Jen Kremer said. “It was nice to pull some wins out. We've been working on finishing the last part of the year. I think we have some confidence going.”

The two teams meet again Monday at Yourd Gymnasium for the Class 4A substate playoff round.

That's when Massey will take another crack at 700. Otherwise, Clinton must wait until next season to celebrate him becoming the fourth coach in state history — and second male coach — to achieve the milestone.

“I'm reasonably sure if I'm back next year we'll get it,” Massey said. “We've never gone winless in an entire season yet.”

Massey's record in 31 seasons stands at 699-296-66.

The Queens hope to hoist Massey to the 700-win plateau this season, when he can celebrate with his daughter, Clinton senior outside hitter Sarah.

“I'm just looking forward to winning our next game,” said Sarah Massey, who led Clinton with nine kills and 18 digs. “If that happens with me on the team, that'll be great. But really, I'm looking to win.”

Clinton middle blocker Leisha Harris had nine kills and seven blocks, libero Paige Dehner had 18 digs and outside hitter Devynn Paulsen added seven kills.

North Scott hitter Courtney Holmes had a match-high 17 kills — four in Game 5 alone.

“I think North Scott came out hitting hard, and we were on our heels,” Sarah Massey said. “But we got North Scott again, and the tournament's what counts. Now we know they're not going to sit back and let us hit at them. I think it's going to fire us up for Monday.”

The same day the Queens attempt to vault their coach into the state's exclusive coaching club.

No. 700 has to wait.

For now.

“We want to get it for him,” Voss said. “He's had so much success, and it would be nice for us to get him there.”

NORTH SCOTT 25-18-26-22-15

CLINTON 21-25-24-25-8

Clinton statistical leaders

Kills — Sarah Massey 9, Leisha Harris 9, Mallory Voss 7, Devynn Paulsen 7. Assists — Courtney Camp 14, Ashley Haugen 13. Digs — Massey 18, Paige Dehner 18. Aces — Voss 3, Kelsee Griswold 3. Blocks — Harris 7.



SOPHOMORES

NORTH SCOTT 20-25-15,

CLINTON 25-14-12

Clinton statistical leaders

Kills — Alyssa Wing 9, Darien Clark 4, Larissa Brewer 4, Paige Barsema 3. Blocks — Brewer 5, Wing 2. Assists — Megan Goetzl 8, Jenny Vens 6. Aces — Goetzl 2, Clark 2, Barsema 1, Mallory Horner 1. Digs — Horner 5, Goetzl 2, Alexis Dickinson 2, Wing 2.