By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

As the score of the deciding fifth game between West St. John and host St. James reached 15-15, then 16-16, 17-17, and 18-18, it became abundantly clear that neither the Rams or Wildcats were willing to go home with a loss to their rival.

But somebody had to. On this day, the Rams just needed it a little more.

With West St. John (1-2) ahead 19-18, St. James couldn’t find a way to return Malana Farnell’s final serve, netting the Rams a 25-23, 25-17, 18-25, 21-25, 20-18 win on the road over St. James.

Plagued early this season – and early in this match – by issues with errant serves, West St. John Coach Glenda Rush told her players that if they expected to earn the team’s first victory of the season, they’d have to clean up the mistakes that helped allow the Wildcats to erase a two game deficit in the match.

They got the message.

“I could tell, both sides were anxious, a bit nervous when it was 15-15,” said Rush. “I just told all of them, I don’t care if you have to hit it underhand. Just get it over, and we’ll outplay them.

I know these girls can serve it strong. But in crunch time, we can’t have the mistakes.”

Rush said that the performance was a major confidence boost to her team, which lost its season opener to St. James a week ago.

“We’ve got the first one, and you can see in the players it sparks a fire in them,” Rush said. “But I tell them that now, they have to hold on to this. I will guide them, but I can’t do it for them. Win or lose, play with that kind of intensity.”

Kyla Morris had 20 digs, 10 kills, 13 blocks, and five aces. She led or tied for the team lead in each category. Farnell also had 20 digs to go with three kills and two aces. Shanea Julien chipped in with 15 digs and 7 blocks.

Morris made a big impact in the clinching game.

“As long as Kyla was in the front row, I wanted Malana to set her up towards the end,” said Rush. “It got to the point where nobody could really return her spikes.

“Her confidence is really growing every single game.”