Brussels Brigand Patricia Rullan, right, shares a joyous embrace with teammate Nora Gibbons celebrating their win against the Sigonella Jaguars at the DODEA Division III European volleyball semifinals on Oct. 27, 2023, in Kaiserslautern, Germany. (Alexander Riedel/Stars and Stripes)
KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany – Down two games to zip against Sigonella and then 12-9 early in the third set, Brussels teetered on the edge of defeat in a best-of-five semifinals match Friday night.
Even when the Brigands squeaked out a 26-24 third-set victory, getting past the Jaguars to earn a spot in Saturday’s DODEA-Europe Division III volleyball championship seemed like a tall order. Sigonella was last year’s runner-up, while the Brigands won only one match in the tourney a year ago and didn’t even win a set in a winless season two years ago.
But Brussels took the fourth set, 25-20, forcing a fifth, tie-breaking set, the magic number being 15 with at least a two-point lead. And that’s exactly how it played out, with the Brigands taking the set and the match, 15-13.
The win seemed to send a shock wave of relief and jubilation through Brussels players, some of whom collapsed on the gymnasium floor at Kaiserslautern High School or into the arms of other teammates as the happy tears flowed.
“We really wanted it,” said sophomore Tessa Wedekind, adding that the Brigands turned up their energy when they fell behind. “The whole season, when we got down, we couldn’t get back up, and today, we really picked ourselves up.”
Sigonella dominated the match early, taking the first two sets 25-17 and 25-12, with junior Rikalia Goss and senior Laney Reardon leading the Jaguars’ attack at the net. But after the third set, the momentum shifted to the Brigands, who seemed to play with more focus, discipline and energy as the match wore on.
Brussels Brigand Raegan Cayce adeptly pushes the ball over the net during their match against the Sigonella Jaguars at the DODEA Division III European volleyball semifinals on Oct. 27, 2023, in Kaiserslautern, Germany. (Alexander Riedel/Stars and Stripes)
Brussels Brigand Taegan Muller makes a diving effort to reach the ball during their tight match against the Sigonella Jaguars at the DODEA Division III European volleyball semifinals on Oct. 27, 2023, in Kaiserslautern, Germany. (Alexander Riedel/Stars and Stripes)
Brussels Brigand Lucia Martinez leaps to pitch the ball over, while Sigonella Jaguar Rickalia Goss rises in an attempt to block during the DODEA Division III European volleyball semifinals on Oct. 27, 2023, in Kaiserslautern, Germany. (Alexander Riedel/Stars and Stripes)
Brussels Brigand Lucia Martinez elevates for a spike over the net, while Sigonella Jaguar Nyeema Fernandez prepares to defend during the DODEA Division III European volleyball semifinals on Oct. 27, 2023, in Kaiserslautern, Germany. (Alexander Riedel/Stars and Stripes)
Brussels Brigands players rally their support from the bench, cheering on their teammates during their match against the Sigonella Jaguars at the DODEA Division III European volleyball semifinals on Oct. 27, 2023, in Kaiserslautern, Germany. (Alexander Riedel/Stars and Stripes)
Sigonella Jaguar Isabelle Balleza manages a dig, fielding the ball from over the net, as teammate Rickalia Goss observes from the right during their match against the Brussels Brigands at the DODEA Division III European volleyball semifinal on Oct. 27, 2023, in Kaiserslautern, Germany. (Alexander Riedel/Stars and Stripes)
The Ansbach Cougars revel in their victory with a jubilant circle dance, while head coach Deb Keller-Mitchell observes the celebration, following their match at the DODEA Division III European volleyball semifinals on Oct. 27, 2023, in Kaiserslautern, Germany. (Alexander Riedel/Stars and Stripes)
In a closely contested match, Brussels Brigand Patricia Rullan rallies her team with an uplifting cheer during a huddle against the Sigonella Jaguars at the DODEA Division III European volleyball semifinals on Oct. 27, 2023, in Kaiserslautern, Germany. (Alexander Riedel/Stars and Stripes)
During the tense final minutes of a closely contested match, Brussels Brigand Taegan Muller, on the right, and Sonia Desir anxiously await the referee’s call on a pivotal play against the Sigonella Jaguars at the DODEA Division III European volleyball semifinals on Oct. 27, 2023, in Kaiserslautern, Germany. (Alexander Riedel/Stars and Stripes)
The return of the team’s lone senior, Patricia Rullan, who had been sidelined by injury heading into the tourney provided a big boost, Brussels coach Courtney Slack said.
Rullan “got clearance from the doctor to play today,” Slack said. “She was a little scared to jump, but when she started doing it, (the game) just changed.”
The Brigands will face defending Division III champion Ansbach in the finals Saturday. The Cougars needed to play their best volleyball of the season to beat AFNORTH in straight sets in the semifinals, 25-17, 25-23, 25-22.
“They played their best game, and we played our hardest, as well,” said Ansbach sophomore Kennedy Lange, who hit the winning point in the third set.
The Cougars worked on being consistent and maintaining their energy throughout the match, Lange said.
“We’re trying to get rid of the peaks and valleys,” she said. “Today, I feel like we really did that.”
AFNORTH proved to be a formidable opponent, as Lions’ defenders seemed to cover the whole court, using digs to keep the ball in play and extend rallies.
AFNORTH will play Sigonella for third place starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday at Ramstein High School. The championship match is scheduled to follow at 10:30 a.m. at Ramstein Southside Gym.
AFNORTH Lion Isabella Guest rises to attempt a block against a shot from Ansbach Cougar Laila McIntyre during the DODEA Division III European volleyball semifinals on Oct. 27, 2023, in Kaiserslautern, Germany. (Alexander Riedel/Stars and Stripes)
Ansbach Cougar Laila McIntyre deftly digs the ball with teammate Kyla Tuazon at her left side during the DODEA Division III European volleyball semifinals on Oct. 27, 2023, in Kaiserslautern, Germany. (Alexander Riedel/Stars and Stripes)
AFNORTH Lion Bella Benedeto executes a center dig, skillfully maneuvering the ball during the DODEA Division III European volleyball semifinals on Oct. 27, 2023, in Kaiserslautern, Germany. (Alexander Riedel/Stars and Stripes)
Ansbach Cougar Trinity Batin leaps into the air, attempting to block a shot delivered by AFNORTH Lion Richele Reyes during the DODEA Division III European volleyball semifinals on Oct. 27, 2023, in Kaiserslautern, Germany. (Alexander Riedel/Stars and Stripes)
Ansbach Cougar Natalie Ritter soars to spike the ball across the net, while AFNORTH Lions Sophia Mier and Isabella Guest position themselves defensively during the DODEA Division III European volleyball semifinals on Oct. 27, 2023, in Kaiserslautern, Germany. (Alexander Riedel/Stars and Stripes)
AFNORTH Lion Richele Reyes low-fives Ansbach Cougar opponents beneath the net, marking the teams’ sportsmanship before the start of their match at the DODEA Division III European volleyball semifinals on Oct. 27, 2023, in Kaiserslautern, Germany. (Alexander Riedel/Stars and Stripes)
