Bulldogs pick up 19th win of the season in Volleyball

(Story by Head Coach Jim Boehmer)

Lake Mills over 25-17, 25-17, 25-15 over North Union.

19-2 overall and 6-0 in the TIC West

We feel real good about our record but know we continue to step up our level of competition in the coming weeks.  We will see the number 1 3A team Saturday at Nevada, as well as a number of other solid programs in 3A.   Getting out 20th win on Saturday will be difficult.  That’s ok.

I think I can sum up tonight with this stat: from the time we hit our 15th point in each set we outscored them a combined 30-10 the rest of the way.  So when I preach that we need to finish strong this is a great example of doing just that.

Kills:
Ella Stene 12
Dottie Byars 11
Ellie Hanna 9
Finley Rogstad 4
Ava Moen 3
Bailey Dagestad 3
Karli Helgeson 2
Team: 44

Assist:
Karli 39
Taylor Vanek 3
Finley 1

Blocks:
Ellie 5
Karli 2
Dottie 2
Ella 3
Finley 1
Ava 1
Bailey 1

Digs:
Taylor 16
Finley 12
Natalie Brandenburg 5
Karli 8
Team: 49

Serving:
Taylor 13-13, 1 ace
Karli 14-14, 3 aces
Natalie 10-11, 1 ace
Finley 15-15
Ellie 10-11
Dottie 7-9, 1 ace
Team: 69-73, 95%, 6 aces

North Union was ready to play as they held leads in set 1 and set 2 early.  Set 3 was the only set we never trailed in.  They were swinging hard and putting up good blocks in the front row and when we would beat the block they were often there to get a controlled dig.

We were not incredibly efficient as a hitting team tonight but credit that to North Union.

We served it very well tonight and of our 4 misses only 2 were at, what we consider, critical times.

We dug as well as we have most of the year tonight.  Hopefully that is a sign we are developing as a defensive team.  We have to get better at reading our opponent to take that next step.

We had good energy most of the night and that has been a focus for a team leaders.  They are working hard to get everyone involved emotionally.  That’s key in a momentum sport like volleyball.  Things happen fast and you have to control the energy level on the court.

North Union is a tough place to play in.  There isn’t much room, the ceiling is low, the backboards hang over the court and the fans are right on you by the stage.  So with all that I always know we will have a fight on our hands.  Sandy does a great job there and they keep getting better.  I like how we played, especially from the midpoint of each set on.