MW VOLLEYBALL: Lady Jays sweep Blue Devils

WORTHINGTON — The Lady Jays volleyball team earned a three-game sweep of the Riverland Blue Devils Friday night in Worthington.

The Lady Jays fought there way through Game 1 with the Blue Devils giving as well as they got. But MW was able to hold on to get the win 25-20.

“In the first set, I felt like we came out pretty slow,” Lady Jays coach Marie Johnson said. “It took us a while to get into our game. Our defense was slow in the first game, but our hitters never let up and they just kept hitting it hard.”

In the second game, MW picked up their game and started to pull away from the Blue Devils.

“After the first set, the intensity went way up,” Johnson said. “We moved together and our offense started to work really well together.”

The Lady Jays took Game 2 25-16.

“We had some long volleys in the game, but we never gave up on them,” Johnson said. “And even if we lost the point, we’d go right back out and get the next one. They were hungry to get the next point.”

MW kept the intensity up in the Game 3, winning 25-14.

“I hope we can take the intensity we had coming off the court tonight and bring it with us in every game,” Johnson said. “The excitement we had as a team was really good. The way we played as a team is something we need to keep up, too.”

Lindsey Drooger and Brittany Hulstein both picked up 11 kills for the Lady Jays, with Hulstein also getting a block for MW.

“Drooger kept hitting the ball for us tonight,” Johnson said. “Her and Mara [Eichenberger] worked really well together.”

Eichenberger had 32 set assists and 14 digs in the game for MW, while Jes Hermeling hit four aces. Katey Granstra smashed 10 kills to go along with four aces and two blocks.

“Granstra and Hulstein have stepped up to the plate for us as the year has gone on,” Johnson said. “There have been a lot of players who have played strong this year and there are some who have become great leaders.”

The Lady Jays play again on Wednesday in Fergus Falls against the Spartans.

“I think all season long we have improved as a team and come together to play better,” Johnson said. “I am just thrilled to coach this team.”

Tags: minnesota west sports, sports, volleyball