The Big Reds have two varsity volleyball teams, according to coach Michelle Moore, and on any given night the outcome of the match depends on which team shows up.

"If our strong, scrappy, and dedicated team shows up, it’ll be a good match. If the other team shows up, it could be a match we’d like to forget. It can go either way."

Both teams made appearances last week.

The "other" team took the court last Wednesday when the Big Reds faced St. Mary’s Catholic Central for a doubleheader at home.

SMCC, who at the time was tied with Airport for first place in the Huron League and went to the state semifinals last year, dominated both matches, sweeping the Big Reds 15-5, 15-5 and 15-2, 15-6.

"I was disappointed in our performance," said Moore. "We knew St. Mary’s was a tough team, but we didn’t seem ready to play at game time. We did not seem mentally ready."

From the outset, the Big Reds played from back on their heels, allowing SMCC to control the tempo.

"We rarely had the opportunity to run our offense," said Moore, "and it seemed we spent most of our time in the defensive mode."

While crediting SMCC with having a strong team, Moore expected, well, more.

"With injuries and illnesses, we just don’t have the full bench to sub in when the players in specific positions aren’t doing their jobs," she said.

For both matches, Lindsay Caldwell led the team with five points and eight digs. Jenny Carano contributed four kills as did Kristine Nelson while adding seven digs. Kim Ludwig came away with 10 assists and two block assists.

The following Monday, the A team showed up to defeat Monroe Jefferson 15-13, 15-9.

Unlike in the matches against SMCC, the Big Reds earned their coach’s characterization of "scrappy" when they surged back from an 11-point deficit in the first game to overcome Monroe Jefferson 15-13. In that game, the Big Reds allowed the Bears to set the tempo in the early minutes and the Bears sloooowed it down, which goes against the Big Reds’ preference for a faster paced game, according to Moore.

The second game was all Milan and the Big Reds displayed the consistency Moore has been looking for all season.

"The second game was much more consistent than the first one," she said. "We’ll continue to work on trying to end games quickly and on taking charge of the game."

Caldwell led the team with nine kills while Lindsey Greer produced six. Kristine Nelson had 13 points and four digs. Lindsay Hemingway had seven points with three big aces. And Kim Ludwig came up huge with 17 assists, while setting without error, 35 of 35.

"The win," said Moore, "was a team effort, with every athlete participating."

The Big Reds travel to face the Huron League-leading Airport Jets on Jan. 30.

It is currently unknown which Big Reds team will square off against the Jets from across the net.