MILLER – Aberdeen Roncalli won its third straight match to start the volleyball season with a 25-23, 21-25, 25-17, 25-17 non-conference decision over Miller on Tuesday night.

“I thought we played well tonight,” said Roncalli coach Leesa Ware. “Miller has always had a very good program, so we knew they would be competitive.”

Ware said the Rustlers presented a challenge along the front line.

“They have some tall girls that would go right over our block,” Ware said. “Our defense really stepped up tonight.”

The Cavaliers were also able to use an aggressive service attack to help to thwart the Miller offense.

“Miller is a very in control team, so we tried to get them out of system as much as we could to take advantage,” Ware said.

Roncalli was led by Jillian Ellwein with 15 kills. Grace Cogley added nine. Cambry Feickert led the defense with 24 digs. Ellwein contributed 18 and Cogley finished with 12.

“Our hitters also did well tonight and really listened to the back row communicating with them on open spots,” Ware said.

The Cavaliers host Tiospa Zina on Thursday night.

Serving: Aberdeen Roncalli (Grace Cogley 1 ace, Jillian Ellwein 1 ace, Cambry Feickert 1 ace); Miller 73-84 5 aces (Hailey Werdel 14-16 2 aces, Olivia Nye 16-17 1 ace, Bailey Bruggeman 12-14 1 ace).

Hitting: Aberdeen Roncalli (Ellwein 15 kills, Cogley 9 kills, Gabby Thomas 3 kills) ; Miller 169-194 37 kills (Emma Pugh 39-44 11 kills, Nye 30-33 7 kills, Hadleigh Asmus 24-27 5 kills, Avery Pugh 21-25 5 kills).

Setting: Aberdeen Roncalli (Elyana Roach 30 assists); Miller 36 assists (Bruggeman 166-169 34 assists).

Digs: Aberdeen Roncalli (Feickert 24, Ellwein 18, Cogley 12); Miller 68 (E. Pugh 24, Werdel 21, Nye 17. A. Pugh 14).

Blocks: Aberdeen Roncalli (Thomas 1 solo 2 assists, Roach 1 assist); Miller 5 (Nye 3 solo 2 assists, E. Pugh 1 assist, A. Pugh 1 assist).

Records: Aberdeen Roncalli 3-0; Miller 2-2.