Volleyball is a game of rallies, often highlighted by back-and-forth scoring battles to the very end.

That back-and-forth play results in both wins and losses, producing win streaks as fast as losing ones. Merritt Island High and Merritt Island Christian can attest to that.

After stumbling in the early going, both Merritt Island and MICS find themselves on three-match win streaks heading into the second month of the 2006 season. Merritt Island boasts a 4-1 record, but, more importantly, a 3-0 mark in Class 4A, District 13 play and 2-0 record in the Cape Coast Conference. MICS (3-2) has won three consecutive matches since falling to Merritt Island and Orlando Pine Castle Christian, a pair of state playoff participants last season.

�We have been improving with each game,� Merritt Island coach Angie Patrick said. �We are still focusing on improving our hitting percentage as a team. Our offense isn�t as consistent as we need it to be, but we�re doing a good job with our serving and passing game.�

Merritt Island has received outstanding play from Crystal Niederriter and Paula Passmore during the win streak. That comes as no surprise to Patrick, who said the two would be counted on to lead the team this season in the waking of losing seven seniors from last year�s team that went 25-3 and won conference and district titles.

Niederriter, a junior middle blocker, leads the team in kills with 58 (3.9 per game), while Passmore, a sophomore outside hitter/Libero, has recorded 45 digs and 19 aces. They are the Mustangs� only two returning starters from last year�s squad. Passmore was an All-Conference selection last year after making 201 digs.

The two helped Merritt Island bounce back from a three-game loss to Class 3A, second-ranked Melbourne Central Catholic by beating Rockledge twice and Titusville in key district matches. All three matches were won in the minimum three games.

At MICS, the Cougars have bounced back from an 0-2 start to win three consecutive matches, including two straight in Class 1A, District 8. However, MICS played two traditional powers in the early going, falling to Merritt Island and Pine Castle Christian, the latter of which advanced to the Class 1A regional finals last year.

�This is a talented group, overall, and is probably just as good as last year�s team, despite the fact that I graduated eight seniors,� MICS coach Laurie Haines said.

Eight playoff appearances in the last nine years have helped to ease any concerns that Haines has about yearly rebuilding. Two years ago, the Cougars advanced to the Final Four for the first time and last year, they won the district title, advanced to the regional semifinals and finished with a 20-6 record.

This year�s group could produce another big postseason run. Senior returning middle blocker Amanda Weekley has 42 kills and 19 blocks in five matches; freshman newcomer Stephanie Quinn, a setter/outside hitter, has 67 assists, 14 aces and 42 digs; senior returning Libero Bryn Hafer has 19 aces and 50 digs; senior returning setter/outside hitter Jessica Quinn has 32 assists; and sophomore newcomer Kacie Paulk, an outside hitter, has 25 kills.

The talented group has helped MICS sweep Temple Christian and Brevard Christian in district play, and defeat Class 2A Holy Trinity Episcopal in four games.

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