Dexter VB finding itself following tough start

It wouldn’t have been difficult to find the skeptics when Hayley Orf continued to preach in an optimistic tone through the opening month of this volleyball season.

The first-year coach at Dexter High School continually spoke on the positivity of her athletes and their work ethic, even though the losses (6 of the Bearcats’ opening 7 matches were not favorable to them) kept on piling up.

“It is how you decide to react,” Orf said of handling the struggles. “It is how you decide to respond. We’re going to get back to work.”

You should have listened to her.

Since a 2-0 loss to Notre Dame in the Dig For Life Tournament in Cape Girardeau, Dexter has “reacted” with five victories in its past six matches, as it headed into a tough challenge against Woodland on Monday at the Bearcat Event Center.

“Adversity is a great thing if you look at it right,” Orf said after guiding her team to a recent 3-1 road win at Bernie. “We have been able to start looking at so many details, splitting the seams, how we are reacting to hitters coming in at different spots, and also building them up and helping them believe in themselves through the growing pains.”

Dexter (6-7) got past Winona (2-0), Gideon (2-1), and Clarkton (2-0) in the Dig For Life event, before falling 2-0 to eventual tournament champion Advance.

The Bearcats then took care of Kennett (3-0) before beating the resilient Mules 25-12, 25-22, 25-27, 25-18.

“We are getting tougher,” Orf said. “We are getting mentally tougher.”

Against the Mules, Orf got very solid serving from senior Katelyn Owens, junior Elizabeth Bolin, and senior Macie Templemire, while junior Kate Nichols had several attacks at the net.

“We still not where we want to be,” Orf said. “This (recent play) has been beautiful, it has been great, we want to celebrate it.”

Following a battle with the eight-win Cardinals, the Bearcats will travel to Sikeston on Wednesday (7:15 p.m.) before a really difficult match with Bell City on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Bearcat Event Center.

“We’ve been doing a lot of homework,” Orf said, “and it is only up from here.”