HILLSBORO: Netters fall to Sterling
Coach Collette Burton might have been disappointed with how the Lady Trojan varsity volleyball team started the first match with the Sterling Black Bears, but she was pleased with the way they fought back when they were down.
Hillsboro took on Sterling at home Tuesday during Senior Night. The recognition of the senior volleyball players, Adrien Bebermeyer, April Funk, Alisa Jost, Andrea King, and Elise Matz, did not intimidate the Black Bears as they won both matches.
Even though Sterling prevailed at the Trojans' last regular season game, the Lady Trojans pushed Sterling to the limit in several games and won game three of the second match 21-19, sending the match into a fourth game.
The first match ended in three games with the Trojans losing 16-21, 17-21, and 15-21. Funk, King, and Matz combined for three blocks, and Matz, Katie Fast, and Jost combined for three kills in the match. Hillsboro was 91 percent in serves, 84 percent in serve receives, 68 percent in attacks, and 97 percent in sets. Charity Davis and Alisa Prior led the team with a combined 21 digs.
"I was disappointed with the way we started the first match," said coach Collette Burton. "We were very sluggish and lacked communication. I was pleased with the way we really fought back when we were down several points. The problem is that it is hard to come back in rally if you dig too big of a hole."
Although the scores were close in all games, the Trojans were not able to tame the Black Bears until the third game of the second match. After losing the first two games 16-21 and 20-22, the Lady Trojans returned to the court fired up and determined. Backed by spirited fans, they jumped out to a 10-4 lead before letting Sterling back into the game. Hillsboro managed to hold on, defeating the Black Bears 21-19.
"The game the girls won was a team effort, but Danielle Goossen's positive attitude seemed to give the team a little fire," said coach Burton.
In the fourth game, Sterling served 20-4 before Hillsboro was able to stage a comeback. But their rally was not enough, and they did not take advantage of some Sterling mistakes, losing 16-21.
"Elise Matz did a tremendous job serving when we fought back in the last game," said Burton. "I was excited to see the girls play so well. We really pulled together and had a good time."
Goossen, Prior, and Emily Ratzlaff served 100 percent in the second match. Matz, Davis, Bebermeyer, Prior, and Ratzlaff combined for 45 digs. The Trojans were only 69 percent in serves received, with Ratzlaff leading the team with 12. Davis led the team in kills with five, followed by Fast with four, Jost with three, and Matz and King with two each. Hillsboro was 93 percent in serves, 68 percent in attacks, and 93 percent in setting.
The Lady Trojans are 6-16 and seeded seventh going into Saturday's Trojan Invitational Volleyball tournament at Robert C. Brown gymnasium. The tournament bracket is on page 10.
"The Trojan Invitational is a great way to prepare for sub-state," Burton said. "I have seen continued improvement throughout the year. Our record does not really show the potential we have."
The volleyball team will compete on Oct. 26 at sub-state in Lyons.
