SIOUX FALLS – Slow starts helped Sioux Falls Lincoln make quick work of Aberdeen Central in a 25-14, 25-16, 25-11 non-conference volleyball sweep on Thursday night.
“I think we spotted them at least five points to start every set,” said Central coach Jackie Bindenagel. “We just started slow every time out.”
The Golden Eagles were able to recover in the opening set and pull even at 10-10, but it was an uphill battle the entire evening.
While Bindenagel was concerned about net play, it was Central’s serving and serve receive that proved to be the team’s undoing against the Patriots.
“Coming into the match we were real concerned about our net play because they have some excellent hitters. I thought our front row did a nice job of getting some touches and making themselves known,” Bindenagel said. “But we did not serve receive well and we were not aggressive with our serves. Those are things that we can control.”
The Eagles managed just one ace and had six service errors. When Central did serve well, Bindenagel said Lincoln’s passing thwarted those attempts.
“Every serve that was in, I bet they passed almost perfect tonight,” she said.
Bindenagel would like to see her players be more aggressive from the service line.
“I don’t know if we had kids that were nervous,” Bindenagel said. “We talked about it before (the match). We have nothing to lose these next few matches. We’re going to be underdogs. Just go for it.”
Central played with yet another different lineup after Taryn Nieman suffered an injury. She was replaced in the middle by Ashley Vogel.
“She had never really played in a varsity match before,” Bindenagel said of Vogel. “She did fine. We’re just finding ourselves a little bit.”
The Eagles, 5-3 on the season, return home to face Sioux Falls Washington Saturday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. at Golden Eagles Arena.
It promises to be another stiff test.
“Washington will roll into town. They’re always good,” Bindenagel said. “We’re just going to have to control what we can control and give them a run.”
Serving: Aberdeen Central 1 ace (Sydney Evans 1).
Hitting: Aberdeen Central 13 kills (Grace Kuch 5, Karly Wellman 4, Madi Struble 2).
Setting: Aberdeen Central 9 assists (Abby Berry 9 assists).
Digs: Aberdeen Central 35 (Evans 14, Ayrlie Waldo 8, Anna Malchow 6).
Blocks: Aberdeen Central 2 solos 6 assists (Ashley Vogel 1 solo 2 assists, Kiana Mounga 1 solo 1 assist).
