SPIRIT LAKE, Iowa -- Melissa Schutz likes playing tougher competition.
The Worthington volleyball team is getting its fill.
Facing a tall and talented Spirit Lake team Monday night, the Trojans suffered a loss in four games.
Game scores were 21-25, 25-19, 25-17 and 25-23.
"They played the net really well and there was a lot going on with tipping and pushing the ball over at the net," Schutz said. "It took us a while to get anything going. We kind of got some good momentum going in the fourth game and we got some big hits and good net play. But it was just kind of too little, too late by then. They fought back and it was a close game. They kept their heads in it, but it ended up going their way."
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Worthington (8-4) came out of the gates with a victory in Game 1, but the Indians (10-2) bounced back to win Game 2.
"It was nice to get the first game," Schutz said. "We needed to come out with more energy and louder and keep pressing. It seemed like we were kind of going through the motions a little bit and not playing aggressive."
Spirit Lake took Game 3, before the two teams battled in the fourth game. But in the end, it was the Indians who came away with the victory.
Martha Alwal had nine kills to lead WHS, while Kristen Andersen (six) and Megan Juber (five) each contributed to the Trojan attack.
Andersen had a team-high 11 digs, while Juber had nine and Samantha Thuringer had five.
Alwal had four blocks, while Mackenzie Gerber had three and Andersen added two.
Meagan Meier led WHS with 13 set assists and Taylor Heidebrink had 12.
Heidebrink also had a team-best five aces on a 16-for-20 serving night. However, as a team, Worthington struggled from the line, missing 18 on the night.
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"That's just tough to get momentum going when you miss that many," Schutz said.
After falling to a tough Marshall team last week, Worthington will now host top-rated Jackson County Central on Thursday.
"It's pretty tough with No. 1-ranked Jackson and I think Marshall was fifth or sixth ranked," Schutz said. "But I'd rather play the tough teams because it tells us where we're at. It makes us play better and it will help us through the end of the season."
