Cross Denominators beat Old Testament Athletes

Jessie Young played a huge part in the Cross Denominators’ win Thursday.

And then there was one.

Two nights after the Cross Denominators were knocked from the ranks of the unbeaten in Church League Volleyball, they returned the favor Thursday night. The Cross Denominators dominated in straight sets against the Old Testament Athletes, winning 25-12 and 25-19 to hand what had been the league's top team its first loss of the season.

Rock Island Church of Christ, which is still scheduled to play later Thursday night, is now the only unbeaten team left at 4-0.

It seems the Cross Denominators found the kryptonite for the Old Testament Athletes: make sure they only have five players. After winning six straight matches - and rarely being tested - with a full lineup, the Old Testament Athletes couldn't overcome missing a player in the rotation due to vacation Thursday night.

The Cross Denominators being motivated after their first loss didn't help matters. The group, now 4-1 overall, was at its best two nights after dropping a heartbreaker to Covenant Fellowship Church. Jessie Young was at the center of the inspired effort, stepping into a vital role as setter while also lighting up the Old Testament Athletes with her serving.

Young's hard-hitting serves - she's one of the few players in the league who can successfully pull off a jump serve - were the catalyst for a blowout in the opening set. The former Cumberland University standout picked her spots, mixing deep serves, short droppers and lasers to both sidelines to spread out the short-handed defense.

Nick Cantrell also played a huge role - literally. The 6-foot-8 front-row specialist dialed in his attack, hammering home several spikes early to set the tone before getting a few kind rolls off the net later as the Cross Denominators seized control.

Chelsea Cope pushed the team past the 20-point mark with another strong serving run before Aleah Davis provided the finishing touch, firing an ace to punctuate the opening-set victory.

The Old Testament Athletes weren't going to go away quietly though. After digging another early hole in the second set, the veteran group showed its grit, rallying to tie the score at 13-13. Ricky Magness provided the highlight, skying for a stuff block as the Old Testament Athletes began to find their footing despite playing with five.

The teams traded points over the next several rallies, with Justin Bouldin delivering big swings for the Cross Denominators while Eric Esparza answered with strong play at the net for the Old Testament Athletes.

In the end though, it was the youngest legs on the court that helped swing the tide. With the Cross Denominators clinging to a 17-16 lead, Michael Coates - the lone teenager on the floor between the two veteran-heavy squads - blasted a spike into the back corner to break the deadlock.

Coates finished off the upset a few points later with another spike, this one putting the Old Testament Athletes away for good.

More coverage from the 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. Church League Volleyball matches is still to come.