By Lindsey Bartle

The Tempe McClintock Chargers girls volleyball team stumbled at home Thursday night in a section rematch against the Glendale Raymond S. Kellis Cougars. 

Kellis swept the Chargers for the second time this season, this time 25-12, 25-15, 25-16. 

The teams seamed evenly matched during the start of the first game, when they exchanged scoring volleys and tried to identify weaknesses. The Cougars (8-10) opened up a lead first after finding empty zones on McClintock’s side to go up 15-8. 

That first run propelled Kellis to an opening game victory. 

Heading into the second set, the Chargers (4-9) put up a tough fight, forcing a lot of fast paced volleys, but their uncontrolled power hits landed out. That helped the Cougars pull ahead 9-5. 

The Chargers also didn’t have an answer for Sierra Edwards, who added three consecutive aces to close the second game in Kellis’ favor.

“We’re very lackadaisical,” McClintock coach Jeff Dunn said.

The Chargers did step up their presence at the net with their blocking in the third set, but the Cougars once again took the lead early before suffering a minor setback. 

Edwards, a junior varsity player Kellis coach Vicky Bauler pulled up to get varsity experience, went into the net during the third set and came out with a sprained ankle.

“It’s not necessarily going to ruin what we have going forward, but it’s a detriment to the junior varsity team because she’s instrumental to them,” Bauler said.

McClintock didn’t go down without a fight during the rest of the third game, matching Kellis' arm power and forcing lengthy volleys, but the Cougars' ball control was better, allowing them to win the final game.

Both teams are now in the home stretch of their seasons with three matches left to play for each program. The Cougars (9-10 overall, 4-3 section) are looking to get into the playoffs.

“We need to work on consistency,” said Bauler about what her team will focus on during the next few weeks.

McClintock will play at Ironwood and at Sunnyslope next week.

“At this point in the season, you’re trying to fix little things, not major projects,” said Dunn about his team.

Bartle is an Arizona State sports journalism student and is covering McClintock High this semester.