In one of the most anticipated regular season matchups in FCHS volleyball history, Chet Snyder’s one-loss Fairfield Lady Mules knocked off Jaclyn Melton’s one-loss NCOE Cardinals Tuesday, 25-21, 25-23.
The two powerhouse squads came into the clash with a combined 57-2 record, and one of those losses was an NCOE loss to Fairfield in the championship of the Fairfield Tournament to open the volleyball season.
The matchup in the bowl in Norris City brought with it a hostile environment that a coaching hoping for a test would be envious of, and Snyder’s Mule gals responded by leading both sets almost entirely.
NCOE lost the match, but won the student section battle.
The Cardinals scored the first three points of the night, but Fairfield then followed with a 5-1 run that included aces by Kylie Stewart and Chloe Britton.
NCOE scored the next two for a 6-5 lead but then Fairfield ripped on a 6-1 run and never trailed again. They led by as many as six at 16-10. NCOE had a late rally to get back within two at 22-20. Britton and NCOE’s Sophie Neal traded kills before Nadia Reid followed with one to move Fairfield to set point. NCOE put the next point into the net to give Fairfield the set one win.
Callie Vaughan looks for an opening against the long defense of NCOE.
The Lady Mules utilized a balanced net attack, with Britton, Reid and Simms each finishing with four kills in the opening set.
In the second set, NCOE went up 2-1 before Fairfield reeled off six straight points on Britton’s serve. She had a pair of aces and Simms had two kills in the surge.
Fairfield did not trail again in the set, but they also could not shake the 1A powerhouse, even after going up 16-8 on three straight kills by Britton.
Chloe Britton took over with three kills in a row.
NCOE answered that run with five in a row, and clawed back to within two at 18-16 and one at 21-20 followed a missed serve and then a kill by junior Evie Duncan.
Neither team scored back-to-back points again, however, trading points to the 25-23 Fairfield win. Simms had a kill for the final point of the night to clinch the victory.
Quite possibly the best back row in southern Illinois.
Fairfield def. NCOE
25-21, 25-23
Kills—Chloe Britton 9, Nadia Reid 8, Jacklyn Simms 7, Kylie Stewart 2, Callie Vaughan 2, Leah Bowers 1, Macayle Snyder 1, Total 30.
Attack Errors—12.
Aces—Britton 2, Colbie Sutton 2, Stewart 1, Reid 1.
Assists—Britton 12, Snyder 12.
Blocks—Britton 1, Simms 1, Reid 1.
Block Assists—Simms 1, Reid 1.
I Am Weez 
thought that I would let you know that you took my favorite picture of Nadia Reid last season. I am Nadia’s great-grandmother. I am nearsighted and my eyes couldn’t follow how she and Cloe did this move until your camera caught it! (second row- middle picture)
(https://weezel32.files.wordpress.com/2019/10/chloebritton7639.jpg?strip=info&w=1500)
Thank you. You are a gifted phtofrapher.
Thank you.