HILLSBORO: Netters come up short at Lindsborg
Smoky Valley defeats Hillsboro in two matches
Staff writer
Despite a valiant effort, the Hillsboro High School varsity volleyball team came up short against Smoky Valley Tuesday at Lindsborg. The Lady Trojans lost both matches to the Lady Vikings in games that were closer than the Vikings wanted.
"It was exciting to watch the girls play," said head coach Colette Burton. "The chemistry was flowing, and there was a lot of hustle and teamwork."
Since one of the setters, Danielle Goossen, was ill, Burton had the team play a 5-1 formation that utilizes just one setter at a time.
"They did well in adjusting to the new system," she said.
In the first match, Hillsboro lost 21-16, 19-21, 18-21, 16-21.
The Lady Trojans won the first game, coming out strong and somewhat confident. But the Lady Vikings managed to refocus and came back to win three games straight.
Hillsboro was 84.5 percent serving.
Junior Adrien Bebermeyer was eight of nine with one ace, and sophomore Emily Ratzlaff went seven of eight with one ace.
"Because we were playing rally scoring, missing crucial serves really hurt us at times," Burton said.
Sophomore Charity Davis led the team in serve receives making nine of 10 for 90 percent, followed by senior Elise Matz making seven of 10 for 70 percent.
Davis led the team in attacks, making 11 of 17 and four kills. Matz was 6 of 15 and seven kills.
"Elise and Charity have stepped up their hitting in the past weeks," Burton said. "It pumps the team up when they make those kills."
Katie Fast led the team in blocks with seven.
"Katie's hitting is coming along — she is snapping her wrist and getting the ball down harder," she said. "I'm expecting good things out of her the rest of the year."
Matz and Davis led the team in digs with 13 and 12, respectively.
In the second match, Hillsboro came out intense and ready to play. They defeated Smoky Valley in the first game 21-16.
The Lady Vikings won the second game 21-16. But the Lady Trojans fought back and won the third game 21-18.
Hillsboro couldn't put Smoky Valley away in the fourth game to seal a victory and a split for the night. Smoky Valley won 21-18, forcing a fifth game in the second match.
In the final game, Smoky Valley scored five straight points 5-0, leaving Hillsboro somewhat befuddled. Burton called a time out.
"I wanted to break the server's momnetum," she said.
"But I saw that they were playing more as individuals and not as a team. I told them not to get tense and to stay focused and not forget what we were doing."
