Massey, Terrock team for last two points in comeback

STERLING – It was only fitting that on Senior Night, Sterling’s only two seniors delivered when it counted most.

With the regular-season finale against Geneseo tied at a game apiece and even at 28-all in the third and decisive game, Golden Warriors seniors Ali Massey and Sonya Terrock teamed for two straight kills to end the match and cap an amazing Sterling comeback in its 25-21, 8-25, 30-28 Northern Illinois Big 12 West win at Musgrove Fieldhouse.

Terrock, who had 15 assists, provided the sets and Massey the kills to finally put the Warriors (26-9, 7-3) over the top.

“This was awesome,” said Massey, who had a match-high 12 kills.

“It feels great to have Sonya set me on those last two points. This is a very proud moment for our team. I’m proud of how far we’ve come.”

Sterling, which was without injured sophomore standout Kiarra Harris for the second straight match, trailed Game 3, 18-11 and was down 19-14 when Warriors heavy-hitting junior Krista Loos stepped to the service line.

The Loos cannon brought the Warriors back with her powerful serves, hammering three aces while Massey and Jen Rahn, who had 11 kills, provided kills as Sterling pulled even at 19-all.

“This was fun. We wanted to do it for the seniors,” said Loos, who had 16 digs, nine kills and six aces. “There was a little pressure when I was serving. I just wanted to get us back in the game. I was trying to put everything into it, and keep it in.”

The game went back and forth the rest of the way, with neither team leading by more than two from then on.

The Warriors had five match points and Geneseo (13-13, 4-6) one before Massey and Terrock closed things out. Massey and Rahn had six kills apiece and Loos five in Game 3.

“We were like two different teams,” Sterling coach Alexis Rivera said. “It was a roller coaster. Krista had some very intelligent serves that helped the team to play a lot better and Ali showed she can lead and put the team on her shoulders.”

Game 1 was close throughout, with neither team leading by more than four. Trailing 19-18, Sterling used a 5-0 flurry that included a kill and an ace by Loos and kills by Massey and Rahn to go up 23-19.

Geneseo whittled the margin to 23-21 before the Warriors finished off the game with two points, the last on a Massey kill.

Sterling struggled mightily in Game 2, falling behind 8-1 and never recovering.

Rivera indicated the Harris, who has had an ailing right shoulder, should be back for regional play beginning Tuesday.

Star of the match: Krista Loos, Sterling, 16 digs, 9 kills, 6 aces

Key performers: Ali Massey, Sterling, 12 kills, 3 aces; Jen Rahn, Sterling, 11 kills; Kaci Storm, Geneseo, 8 kills

Up next: Class 3A Dixon Regional semifinal, Sterling vs. Rochelle, 5:30 p.m. Tuesday