Volleyball squad struggles at Hesston triangular
Staff writer
The Hillsboro High School volleyball team competed in their season opener Tuesday in a triangular meet against Conway Springs and Hesston in Hesston.
The Lady Trojans struggled in their first match against powerhouse 3A state champs Conway Springs.
"It looked like we were very nervous out there," said Head Coach Collette Burton.
The Cardinals' roster was laced with seniors, with all of its players returning from last year's state championship team.
In the first game Hillsboro only managed to score four points, losing 21-4. The power serves of Conway just overtook the Trojans.
"The Conway players were good at placing their serves," Burton said, "which hurt us very much."
But Hillsboro managed to regroup and come back in the second game, matching point for point with Conway. But the missed serve receives really hurt Hillsboro, and Conway went on to win 21-12.
In the third and final game against Conway, Hillsboro managed to score 13 points but lost 21-13.
In the match against league rival Hesston, Hillsboro proved they could play with the Swathers. Hillsboro led the scores in most of the games but was unable to finish with a win.
In very close matches, Hillsboro lost 21-17, 21-17, 21-16.
"We did a great job against Hesston," Burton said. "But toward the end we let down — and that hurt us."
"I saw some good things out there Tuesday, but we also saw some things we need to improve on," she said.
Burton said the team will concentrate on blocking, serve receives, and communication in the back row for the rest of this week in preparation for next week's game.
"I was proud of the girls. They showed they had the ability to play with Hesston," Burton said. "We will continue to improve as the season progresses."
The team will play Tuesday at home against Haven. Game time is 5 p.m.
"Haven is a good squad, and I know we will be able to compete with them," Burton said.
Individual and team statistics were not available at press time.
