Young Trojans lose two at home
Even a home court advantage could not have lessened the task of the Hillsboro High School volleyball team Tuesday night when it took on two 2004 state tournament qualifying teams — the Conway Springs Cardinals and the Hesston Swathers.
The Trojans lost the first match to Conway Springs 25-11, 25-15. The Cardinals took the lead early in the game and didn't relinquish it. The Trojans, who had some miscues on the back row and struggled with their hitting, were never a threat against the hard-hitting Cardinals.
Senior Amy Duerksen led the team in sets with 26-30 while junior Laura Lindsay was 9-1.
In game two, the Trojans struggled with the Cardinals' serving but had a chance to get back into the game at 10-19. Conway Springs had a momentary lapse in concentration but Hillsboro could not capitalize on the Cardinals' mistakes. A Hillsboro player in the net gave the serve back to Conway and they had a four-point scoring run at 20-12. Junior Tiffany Knaak served two points for the Trojans, 15-24, before the Cardinals finished off the game and the match.
"Conway Springs is a good team," said head coach Sandy Arnold. "But we came out flat. I don't know if we were intimidated or not ready to play. I do know we need to prepare mentally."
In the first game against league rival Hesston, the Swathers took the lead from the first serve and controlled the game. Duerksen served four straight points, getting the Trojans within seven at 15-22, but the Swathers came right back, winning the game on a missed serve by Hillsboro, 25-17.
Game two was a different story as the Trojans took the lead from their second serve. Once again, Duerksen served four straight points to get Hillsboro up 6-1. Hesston fought its way back, tying the game at 16-16 and taking the lead. The Trojans regained the lead at 21-20 on three straight serves by junior Laura Lindsay. Hesston took the serve at 21-21 and scored the next four points to win the game 25-21 and the match.
"If we started out on fire in each game, we'd be better off," Arnold said. "In game two with Hesston, we were enthusiastic and excited."
The Trojans compete in a triangular against Haven and Halstead at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Haven. Their next home match will be against Smoky Valley Sept. 28.
MCAA pre-season tournament
Hillsboro got its first win of the season Saturday against Nickerson in the second match of the MCAA league pre-season tournament at home last Saturday.
In the first match of the day, the Trojans lost to Sterling 25-21, 25-21. Arnold thought her team played well for its first match.
"I'm looking forward to meeting Sterling again," Arnold said. "We played well even though we had first game jitters."
It took three games for Hillsboro to put away Nickerson, 29-31, 25-16, 25-17, in the second match. The Trojans lost the lead in the first game but fought back in the next two games to beat the Panthers in a confidence builder.
Against Lyons, the Trojans played well and aggressively, both in hitting and at the net, winning the first game 25-20 but losing the next two 25-22, 25-15.
"If we had played the entire match with the fire and intensity we showed in game one," Arnold said. "I think we would have won."
The loss to Lyons put the Trojans in the consolation bracket of the tournament where they defeated Marion, 25-20, 25-16.
"Although it was a bit of an uphill battle, we played aggressively enough to overcome a tired Marion team," said Arnold.
In the match for fifth place, Hillsboro struggled with Hoisington's tough serving, losing 25-15, 25-17.
"Our team was a bit disappointed in the day's final outcome," Arnold said, "as we had set our goals higher. However, we are trying new things that will improve our game and help us progress throughout the season."
