HAMLIN – After suffering its first loss of the season last week, Aberdeen Roncalli returned the favor to a different foe on Tuesday night.
The Cavaliers knocked off unbeaten Hamlin 29-27, 25-14, 25-21 in Northeast Conference volleyball action.
“It was such a fun match to coach,” said Roncalli coach Leesa Ware. “We knew going into this we had a big mission to shut down (Addie) Jensen, right side hitter, and the girls did an outstanding job, not only in our blocking, but also on defense.
The Cavaliers found themselves in a tough spot in the opening set, trailing 24-20, before saving six set points and eventually claiming the set in extra points.
“Our team never gave up tonight despite being down, and came back fighting,” Ware said.
Roncalli then was in a tight battle in the second set with the score tied 12-12 before the Cavaliers scored nine unanswered points to take control. Cambry Feickert led the surge from the serving line.
Roncalli then used a late scoring surge in the third set to ice the victory. The Cavaliers pulled away from a 17-17 tie with six consecutive points.
“Our offense and defense were majorly on point tonight, and the girls played very well,” Ware said. “I couldn’t be more proud of them. It was a huge win for us.”
Feickert finished the match with six aces, and Jillian Ellwein added three.
Ellwein and Gabby Thomas led a balanced attack at the net with eight kills apiece. Grace Cogley contributed six, and Karsyn Davis added five.
Jensen had 10 kills to top Hamlin, which slipped to 5-1 on the season.
Roncalli, 6-1, plays host to Webster on Thursday at Roncalli Gym.
Serving: Aberdeen Roncalli (Cambry Feickert 6 aces, Jillian Ellwein 3 ace, Grace Cogley 1 ace); Hamlin 6 aces (Mya Yonker 3, Addie Jensen 2, Issie Steffensen 1).
Hitting: Aberdeen Roncalli (Ellwein 8 kills, Gabby Thomas 8 kills, Cogley 6 kills, Karsyn Davis 5 kills); Hamlin 35 kills (Jensen 10, Maddy Jutting 8, Lexa Thue 7).
Setting: Aberdeen Roncalli (Elyana Roach 21 assists); Hamlin 30 assists (Steffensen 28).
Digs: Aberdeen Roncalli (Feickert 14, Cogley 9, Ellwein 7); Hamlin 72 (Jacyi Trowbridge 18, Paxton Neuendorf 18, Jensen 12).
Blocks: Aberdeen Roncalli (Felicity Cogley 2 solo 3 assists, Ellwein 1 solo, Davis 3); Hamlin 4 (Jensen 2 assists, Kayde Nebel 2 assists).
Records: Aberdeen Roncalli 6-1; Hamlin 5-1.
