By:  J. Daniel Pearson

Jordin Southall had six of her team-high 25 kills in a decisive fifth set as the Osceola Kowboys (14-3) ran its winning streak to seven in a row with a thrilling 24-26, 25-19, 26-28, 25-22, 15-9 win over Hagerty on Tuesday night.  

Osceola, ranked 10th overall in the state and fourth in Class 7A, dropped the first and third sets to the Huskies — a team that came into the contest ranked 15th overall in the state and sixth in 7A.  

“It wasn’t pretty at times, especially early.  I think both teams came out a little tight.  We let too many balls get to the floor and our service game was a little off,” Osceola coach Carrie Palmi said. “But it was a great match and a great win against a really good team – one we could very well see again in the playoffs.  This is certainly the type of win that we can build our confidence with.”

Osceola fell behind early in the first set, 17-12.  The Kowboys would then go on a 12-7 run, tying the game 24-24 on a Southall ace and a Cate Palmi kill.  But Mikayla Miessler would come up with a kill, followed by an Osceola return error that gave the Huskies the first set.  

The teams would battle to a stalemate for first half of the second set, before three ball handling errors by the Huskies gave Osceola a 19-16 lead.  From there, the Kowboys were never really challenged and held on for a six-point decision.

Although the Lady Kowboys jumped out to a quick 6-2 lead in the third, Hagerty came roaring back to take a 12-11 lead.  They would go on to build a 21-17 lead before a 5-1 run by Osceola cut the deficit to just one, 22-21.  They would end up fighting off three match points, but Jenness Orcutt, who had five kills and two blocks in the set, came up with kill and a block at the net on back-to-back plays to give Haggerty the set.  

Osceola led for most of the fourth set, but the Huskies fought back to make it a one-point game at 22-21.  Palmi would take over with a kill and an ace before sophomore Brooklyn Sippio blocked an attack at the net for a point and a 25-22.

“I can’t really say enough about how Brooklyn played tonight,” Carrie Palmi said.  “She had 10 kills, came up with some big blocks and hit over .300 for the match.  When she is doing that, she is taking a lot of pressure off our two outside hitters.”

In the decisive fifth “The Race to 15,” Osceola played nearly flawless early in the set – going on a 7-0 run to build a 10-2 lead.  Southhall had four kills in that run, Nailah Stevenson had a huge block for a point and Osceola took advantage of two return errors by the Huskies to build the big lead.

But Hagerty fought back with a 5-0 run of their own to cut the lead to 10-7.  Sophie Spivey came up with a couple of kills down the stretch, Palmi and Southall had one each and Osceola cruised to the 15-9 win.  

Although Osceola had its standouts with Southall, Palmi (23 kills, 2 aces), Sippio, Andrea Rodriguez (58 assists), and Dari Bravo (18 digs), Haggerty had its share of stars.  Miessler had 24 kills and an ace; while Orcutt had 16 kills and five total blocks.

It was the first time this season that Osceola has had to go to five games and sets up an interesting week ahead, after matches against county rival Tohopekaliga tonight (9/18) and a road contest with a solid Holy Trinity Episcopal team next Wednesday (9/25); the Lady Kowboys will host Winter Park next Thursday (9/26).  The state runner-ups last year, Winter Park (12-1) is currently ranked third overall and number two in Class 7A.

“Like Hagerty they are a really outstanding team,” Palmi said.  “But it’s another great opportunity for us.  To be the best you have to play the best.”