By Patrick MacCoonRecord Sports EditorTrailing 22-20 in the third set, first-year Head Coach Kristen McDowell called a timeout to rally her Warrenton volleyball team.What McDowell said in the huddle was put on full display as the Warriors answered back with five straight points to defeat St. Clair on Monday afternoon by scores of 25-10, 17-25 and 25-22.The win extended Warrenton’s win streak to start the season to four games. The Bulldogs fell to 1-1.“I just told the girls in the timeout that they have to treat every single play like it’s game point and that we really have to push through and believe we can do it even when we were down,” McDowell said. “They did exactly that and believed in themselves.”Senior Chyanne Schwerdt started the rally with a block to cut the score to 22-21, a play which energized all of her teammates.“When Chyanne got that block it was really the momentum change for us,” McDowell said. “The girls all got excited after she did that and that’s crucial for our team. This group really plays great when they are happy and positive with each other. Sometimes it takes one big play to help make the difference.”With a gap spotted in the Bulldogs defense, which was set up for cross-court hits, the Warriors’ outside hitters were instructed to start swinging down the line. The adjustment proved to be decisive.Warrenton senior outside hitter Morgan Boesel followed her coach’s instructions and finished with two kills down the left side of the court and then landed a match-winning block.“I always expect consistency out of my players, but late in matches it’s great to know I can rely on Morgan to be the go-to hitter and that she is going to execute and get the job done,” McDowell said. “She’s had a lot of experience, so she is very capable of doing whatever we ask her to do. She is going to get the job done.”Boesel led all with a season-high 12 kills on 22 attacks. She also contributed three blocks and two aces.“So far this was the toughest game we’ve had to come back in to win,” Boesel said. “We definitely pulled through really well tonight. Chyanne’s block really started it all for us there late to take the third set.”Senior Ellie Stapleton finished with a game-high six blocks while Schwerdt added on three.The Warriors were given a boost by strong serving throughout as four different players finished with multiple aces. Senior Anna Sutherland led with three aces. Junior defensive specialist Alex Buechner finished with 19 digs.The match was just the second of the year in which Warrenton has gone to three sets with an opponent.The only other was against St. Charles West, who they defeated by double-digit margins in the second and third sets.“The first set we took them by a lot and did really well,” Boesel said. “But then we weren’t playing to our potential in the second game and got beat pretty bad. We really had to stay poised in the third and we finished the job.”With an undefeated record still intact, the Warriors survived one of their first tests of adversity this season.“This game was definitely one for the books,” McDowell said. “We had to fight extremely hard in the third set until we got to the last five points. The girls really kept their composure in a time of such stress. I’m proud of how they played.”Warrenton will play a home contest Thursday against Orchard Farm starting  at 6 p.m.

Chyanne Schwerdt goes up high to hit a ball in a match against St. Clair on Monday night. Schwerdt would help key a rally to help Warrenton improve to 4-0 to start the season.

Patrick MacCoon photo.