Hupp shines on "Selah Night"

DAVENPORT – Family, friends and teammates honored Gorillas' senior Selah Hupp prior to her last regular season home volleyball game Tuesday, Oct 30, against Highway 2 rival Reardan. After receiving hugs, flowers and balloons, she led her team to a 3-1 win over the Screaming Eagles 25-20, 25-22, 20-25, 25-19.

In defeat, Reardan played one of its best games of the season.

"I'm impressed with how we played," Reardan head coach Elise McCammonds said. "We were scrappy and worked hard."

With injured sophomore Emersen Sprecher watching from the bench, her teammates stepped up. Most notably, big-hitter Kaylynn Clouse, Cheyanne Valitalo and Marrin Landreth.

Despite their best efforts, the Gorillas were determined to win this match for Hupp.

In the first set, Davenport jumped to a 10-5 lead behind Hupp's two serving aces and one kill.

Two kills by Clouse and one by Landreth brought the Screaming Eagles to within two points at 11-9, but they drew no closer as Davenport pulled away to win 25-20.

The second set was a back-and-forth affair. After being tied 3-3, Davenport went on a six point run to lead 9-3. Fueled by kills from Clouse, Kelsy Koch and Olivia Wicks, and an ace by Lillie Whitman, Reardan knotted the score at 11. The Screaming Eagles took a 17-14 lead on a block and a kill by Clouse, a kill by Landreth and a serving ace by Wicks.

Emma Cash put the Gorillas ahead for good with consecutive aces and Chloe Hammond ended the set with a decisive kill shot to give Davenport the 25-22 win.

After falling behind in the match 2-0, the Screaming Eagles rebounded in the third set, winning 25-20. Clouse notched four kills and two blocks, Raegan Soliday recorded three kills and Valitalo added one, to go along with consecutive aces by Whitman.

In what proved to be her last game on her home court, Hupp took over the fourth set. She scored two kill shots right off the bat and ended with five for the set. The Gorillas took an early lead and never looked back. Davenport won the set 25-19 to give them a 3-1 match win.

Hupp led the Gorillas with 14 kills and 17 digs, followed by Hammond, who had eight kills and eight digs. Astraya Sosa and Faith Bell had 15 and 11 assists, respectively. Tatum Hupp was solid defensively with 13 digs.

After the game, Hupp reflected on the moment.

"This was sad for me tonight," Hupp said. "It kind of broke my heart because I love these girls so much."

She was pleased with her team's effort.

"There were times when we lacked communication, but I think we played pretty good," she said. "I was really proud of our comeback in the fourth game. We really came together."

"This was a great win on "Selah Night," Davenport head coach Jill Morrison said. "They didn't communicate all that well and didn't play their greatest, but after regrouping after the third set, they came out ready to go."

"We struggled offensively tonight with Emersen (Sprecher) out, but the girls we had out there worked hard," McCammonds said. "I put Marrin (Landreth) in a position she doesn't normally play, and she killed it tonight. It was the same with Cheyanne (Valitalo) and Kaylynn (Clouse).They played strong."

Landreth, who played an important role for her team, was pleased with her play.

"My serving has improved and was on point tonight," she said. "I think our energy was good and that we played better as a team than we have in the past. We went for a lot of balls this match and were much scrappier than normal. I was really impressed with how Cheyanne played. Her hitting was very good," Landreth said.

With Davenport's win, their record improved to 13-4. Reardan dropped to 10-9.

Both teams are back in action Tuesday, November 5, at the 2024 District 6 2B Volleyball Tournament at Davenport High School.