Covenant Fellowship picks up big victory
Chris Madewell made huge plays to help Covenant Fellowship Church beat the Cross Denominators Tuesday.
When Justin Bouldin and Chris Madewell rose for a clash at the net, they knew more than just a point was at stake. With their teams deadlocked at 13-13 in the deciding third set, winning that battle was going to be crucial to winning the match.
Madewell was able to push the ball over for the winner and Covenant Fellowship secured the match just seconds later. In an epic clash - one of four three-set battles Tuesday night at McMinnville Church of God - Covenant Fellowship knocked the Cross Denominators from the ranks of the unbeaten with a 25-16, 11-25 and 15-13 victory.
Madewell was the catalyst the whole way. After Covenant opened the third set with a brilliant return shot from Gary Milstead, Madewell quickly made it 6-0 with a string of strong serves, giving his team a big cushion.
The Cross Denominators wouldn't quit though. Chelsea Cope brought them all the way back to even at 13-13 with her own pinpoint serves, mixing deep shots that just cleared the back line with drop shots that barely cleared the net.
Just when the Cross Denominators thought they were going to avoid defeat again, Madewell struck once more. He and Bouldin both attacked a free ball at the net, each hoping to get it to fall on the other side.
Madewell's tip balanced on the tape before rolling over and a mad scramble by the Cross Denominators wasn't enough to keep the ball from hitting the floor.
On the deciding point, Emma Madewell found a gap in the center of the Cross Denominators' defense with an over-the-head shot to secure the victory.
It proved to be the closest of several tight battles Tuesday night. First Baptist Church set the tone, beating Safe Harbor Church of God 25-17, 22-25 and 15-7. Both teams were battling for their first win of the season and First Baptist broke through with the mother-daughter combination of Eliana and Tina Heintz leading the way. Dara Johnson also put together a run of serves that proved to be the winning formula.
To end the night, McMinnville Church of God found itself on the wrong end of a pair of close calls. Called to Serve, heating up at the perfect time, won 25-20, 16-25 and 15-4 before Westwood Church of Christ also beat the host team in three sets, 22-25, 25-13 and 15-8.
The standings got a good shakeup from Tuesday's four battles. The Cross Denominators missed their chance to keep pace in second place, while Covenant Fellowship climbed into a tie for sixth at 3-4. Called to Serve and Westwood also made moves, rising into a tie for fourth at 3-2.
Thursday's matchups could cause even more movement in the rankings. The Cross Denominators will be looking to bounce back, but they'll face the undefeated and top-ranked Old Testament Athletes at 5:30 p.m. First Baptist Church follows with a doubleheader, playing Rolling Acres BIC at 6:30 p.m. before facing Westwood Church of Christ at 7:30 p.m. The nightcap features Rock Island Church of Christ - now one of just two undefeated teams - taking on Called to Serve at 8:30 p.m.
