Aberdeen Christian played with control on Tuesday.
The Knights picked up a 25-15, 22-25, 25-11, 25-13 non-conference volleyball win over Wilmot at the Aberdeen Christian Gym.
The Knights came out in control in set one, leading for much of the set before taking a one-set advantage. Christian coach Sara Powell said the team wanted to come out energized right away.
“I think they were pretty energized and ready to go,” Powell said. “I told them we just go out and play the game that we know how to play, and go out there and get some big hits and that’s what they did.”
Wilmot coach Jennifer Hanson said her team was not expecting the Knights to come out so energized.
“I think we weren’t quite expecting that right away, but it was a slow get go for our team,” Hanson said. “But I feel like we picked it up in the second set for sure.”
Knights libero Ali Isakson was excited about how her team started the match.
“We started off strong and just kept the lead,” Isakson said. “Our hitters were doing really well in the first set, too.”
Christian began the second set the way it ended the first, taking a 5-0 lead before the Knights lost control of the set to the Wolves.
Wilmot went on a 10-2 run and led 10-7 before a timeout was called. The teams traded leads before the Wolves finished the set by scoring the last four points.
Hanson said the mentality was different for her team in the second set.
“I think for our team it’s mostly a mental game,” Hanson said. “If we can change their mindsets and say you can do this, they definitely come out and they play awesome.”
Powell said her team got too comfortable in the set and it led to errors for the Knights.
“I think we had some errors and they were just doing everything right at the time,” Powell said. “They didn’t have the errors that they did in the first set.”
Christian was able to refocus and take control of the third set, pulling away for the 25-11 win. In the fourth set, the Knights took firm control and opened up a 15-3 lead en route to the win.
Powell said the team needed to look past the mistakes and continue to fight.
“I think the girls just needed to get out of their heads and forget what just happened, play better, and just be more aggressive, and play the game that we know how to play,” Powell said.
The Knights, who began the season 1-10, have now won six of their last eight matches. Powell said the wins have given the team confidence this season.
“It definitely is a huge momentum booster for us,” Powell said. “Last year we struggled. We had four wins all season, so we’ve doubled that, and I think for them mentally, that’s huge for them just to have the win and feel good about it and keep moving forward.”
Isakson said the success has come from the team working together.
“I think working as a team we’ve really improved, everyone individually, and it’s really helped us all together,” Isakson said.
Isakson led the Knights with 37 digs, while adding a pair of aces.
Powell said Isakson is a huge asset to the team.
“She is one that I can just always count on. I put her on that court and know that she’s going to play 110 percent every time,” Powell said. “She’s super aggressive and reads the balls really well. She’s just a great teammate to be out there and so encouraging. She’s a great asset to our team.”
Chloe Bosma had 9 kills, 7 aces, and a block, while Jolie Fogarty had 8 kills, 14 digs, 8 assists, and one block. Sawyer Schwan led with 22 assists and 9 aces.
For Wilmot (6-11), Addison Heinje led with 13 kills and one ace, while Jada Cameron had 6 kills and 2 blocks. Mya Heinje had 22 assists, while Stacia Redday added 11 assists.
The Wolves will host Waverly-South Shore on Thursday, and Hanson said the team will need to be prepared mentally for the next match.
“I think we’re going to have to have a long talk about the mental game, and letting each point go, and moving on and looking toward the next point,” Hanson said. “I’m hoping we can regroup and bring home a win on Thursday.”
The Knights (7-12) will travel to Faulkton on Thursday, and Powell said the team needs to get some rest before the match.
“We’ve had so much volleyball the last couple of weeks that I’m hoping we can get some rest tonight and do a light practice (Wednesday) and come out ready to go and ready to play.”
Serving: Wilmot 2 aces (Julia Anderson 1 ace, Addison Heinje 1 ace); Aberdeen Christian 87-96 20 aces (Sawyer Schwan 21-23 9 aces, Chloe Bosma 25-28 7 aces, Ali Isakson 7-8 2 aces).
Hitting: Wilmot 24-31 (Addison Heinje 13 kills, Jada Cameron 6 kills); Aberdeen Christian 103-126 35 kills (Bosma 16-18 9 kills, Jolie Fogarty 18-20 8 kills, Sophia Eichler 10-14 5 kills).
Setting: Wilmot 37 assists (Mya Heinje 17 assists, Stacia Redday 11 assists); Aberdeen Christian 120-125 33 assists (Schwan 61-62 22 assists, Fogarty 42-46 8 assists).
Digs: Aberdeen Christian 91 digs (Isakson 37 digs, Fogarty 14 digs, Natalie Biel 9 digs).
Blocks: Wilmot (Cameron 2 blocks); Aberdeen Christian (Ari Johnson 4 blocks, Bosma 1 block, Fogarty 1 block).
Records: Wilmot 6-11; Aberdeen Christian 7-12.
