Old Testament Athletes back atop standings
Just when it looked like the Church League Volleyball race had become wide open, the Old Testament Athletes reminded everybody why they spent weeks sitting atop the standings.
Back at full strength with Chris and Julia Rhoady returning to the lineup, the Old Testament Athletes reclaimed sole possession of first place Thursday night, beating Rock Island Church of Christ 25-23 and 25-20 in a showdown between the two of the league's top teams at McMinnville Church of God.
The biggest difference for the Old Testament Athletes was having their full lineup back together.
After suffering their first loss while shorthanded the previous week, the return of the Rhoadys helped restore the chemistry that carried the team to six straight victories to open the season. The veteran group answered every Rock Island rally, edged out a tightly contested first set and completed the sweep in the second to move back into first place.
Rock Island also had to overcome an absence of its own. The squad, which entered the week as the last unbeaten team but now has suffered back-to-back losses, entered the showdown without standout net player Logan McCormack, forcing the team to adjust its usual style while trying to keep pace with the rejuvenated Old Testament Athletes.
It didn’t happen. The old timers were able to create some separation once again at the top of the standings, a big win as only two more nights remain in the league’s regular season.
In other matchups Thursday, McMinnville Church of God continued its climb up the leaderboard by sweeping First Baptist Church 25-12 and 25-16. The victory improved the home team to 5-4 as it continues to establish itself as one of the league's toughest outs.
The tough bets kept coming for First Baptist Church as they fell in the next match to Called to Serve in straight sets, 25-12 and 25-7. Momentum is building for Called to Serve, which has pushed itself into a tie for fourth place following Thursday’s nightcap stunner.
Rolling Acres BIC earned just its second victory of the season, knocking off the Cross Denominators 25-16 and 25-20. Led by Mia Hobbs and Hope Grayson, Rolling Acres played some of its best volleyball of the season, controlling the action from the opening serve and picking up a confidence-building win over a team that entered the week in second place.
Cross Denominators, like Rock Island, is now on a two-game slide at the worst possible time as teams continue to jockey for position as the end of the regular season nears.
Both teams will try to regain their momentum next Tuesday, July 14 when they’re both scheduled to play two games in one night, including a head-to-head battle at 6:30 p.m. that could decide a top-3 spot in the standings.
Rock Island Church of Christ will also open up play Tuesday against Rolling Acres BIC at 5:30 p.m., while the Cross Denominators will continue their back-to-back with a showdown with the team their currently tied with in the standings, Called to Serve, at 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday’s nightcap will feature Rollings Acres BIC taking on First Baptist Church at 8:30 p.m.
The regular season will come to a close with three matches Tuesday, July 21. The tournament will follow.
Current standings
Old Testament Athletes 7-1
Westwood Church of Christ 6-2
Rock Island Church of Christ 5-2
Called to Serve 4-3
Cross Denominators 4-3
McMinnville Church of God 5-4
Covenant Fellowship Church 3-5
Rolling Acres BIC 2-4
First Baptist Church 2-6
Safe Harbor Church of God 0-8
