32-2 Cisne overwhelms South Central at sectionals

LEBANON – It started with a uniform violation, and didn’t get any better from there.

South Central lost the first point of the match on a questionable decision and then struggled to find a rhythm as Cisne rolled by the Lady Cougars, 25-14, 25-16, in the Tuesday’s Class 1A sectional semifinal.

Prior to the first serve, officials said the numbers on South Central’s uniforms were too low, the first time in four years that the team has been called for such a violation.

In that span, South Central has twice played in sectional tournaments, including a super-sectional appearance two seasons ago.

“For four years, we have had the same uniforms, and they are telling us that the uniforms are illegal because the numbers are too low from the V,” said coach Mary Brimberry. “We are losing points automatically, and they put us in a little hole.

“It makes a difference in the rotation, but we can’t take that (as an excuse),” she said. “But any little change is not good.”

Cisne’s Chynna Byars – who stands a head taller than any of her teammates – had a field day against the Lady Cougars (17-17), putting down 13 kills, while adding three aces and a block.

She isn’t the hardest hitter that South Central has faced all season, but the Lady Cougars were unable to establish a blocking scheme against her.

“On another night, we might have stopped her some more, but I can’t take anything away from her,” Brimberry said.

Junior Maria Brasel had the best overall game for South Central, earning five kills, three assists and two aces, and senior Lincoln Brasel had two kills, one ace, one block and one assist.

Freshman Emily Chapman added five assists and a pair of kills, and teamed with junior Brittney Potter for a block.

“I thought my girls were ready, but all of sudden, I don’t know, maybe it was stage fright,” Brimberry said.

The Lady Cougars held a brief 3-2 lead in the first set after Maria Brasel’s two aces, but back-to-back kills by Byars put Cisne (32-2) ahead, and South Central wouldn’t be close to the lead again the rest of the night.

After the Lady Lions’ lead reached 14-10, they went on an 11-4 run to close out the set, killing off five attacks and serving three aces in that span.

The second set started with a 5-0 run for Cisne – which will play Lebanon in Thursday’s sectional final – and the margin would remain steady for most of the set.

A small run by the Lady Cougars – which included kills by both Brasel sisters and a block by Lincoln Brasel – again got the score to 14-10, but the Lady Lions dominated the final half of the set to end the careers of four South Central seniors.

But Brimberry had nothing but praise for Lincoln Brasel, Melissa Drum, Karrigan Smith and Monica Young.

“There has been great leadership,” Brimberry said. “I respect each and every one of them, and I knew how much they wanted this.

“If the game had been tighter, you can take that loss, but they didn’t want to take a loss like that, not in their last game.”

Tuesday, Nov. 5
Cisne 25, South Central 14
Cisne 25, South Central 16
Kills: M. Brasel, 5; L. Brasel, 2; Chapman, 2; Abbey Garrett, 1; Potter, 1.
Aces: M. Brasel, 2; L. Brasel, 1.
Assists: Chapman, 5; M. Brasel, 3; L. Brasel, 1; Potter, 1.
Blocks: L. Brasel, 1; Chapman, ½; Potter, ½.
Record: 17-17