By LuAnn Schindler
Publisher
Tough competition beneficial for Bobcats as they head to postseason play
Share
Tweet
October 12, 2023
LuAnn Schindler | SAM
Pancake • Summerland libero Preslie Robertson slides a fist under the volleyball for a successful dig on the Bobcat's court. She finished the Oct. 3 pink-out game, against O'Neill, with 29 digs.
One game at a time.
That's the mindset of the Summerland Bobcat volleyball team. With two road trips scheduled this week - Wayne, played Oct. 10 and O'Neill this Friday - the team will focus on those contests before setting their sights on Niobrara Valley Conference play, scheduled to begin Monday, Oct. 16.
Coach Danielle Birch said her squad has some things they're "trying to fine tune heading into post season."
Since Sept. 28, the Bobcats have won two matches and dropped one.
"We've played a lot of competitive volleyball in the last few weeks and our girls are really playing well together and hungry for some revenge against teams moving into postseason," Birch said.
Against North Central, the Bobcats took control and never let up in a three-set win played at home, Sept. 28. Summerland won 25-14, 25-6 and 25-12. Four Bobcats landed ace serves, including three from Talya Nilson, two from Lydia Robertson and one apiece from Preslie Robertson and Adyson Mlnarik.
On Oct. 3, Summerland claimed the first sets, 25-21 and 25-17, against O'Neill, in a home contest.
But the Eagles responded by taking the final three sets and a win to the Irish capital.
Mlnarik recorded 21 kills in the match and Caydence Schumacher finished with 10.
In her first varsity start, sophomore Kenzie Sanne completed 33 set assists in the match.
Last Thursday, the Bobcats swept Neligh-Oakdale, on the Warriors' court, 25-15, 25-18 and 25-20.
Sarah Wiese hit .154, landing six kills on 13 attempts. Bailey Ahlers landed four kills.
The Bobcats have established big goals once postseason play begins.
"...Avenging some early season losses and showing our subdistrict we are not a team to be overlooked," Birch said.
Statistics v North Central
P. Robertson: 1a, 11d, 2sa
L. Robertson: 5k, 2a, 2b, 6d, 12sa
Nilson: 3a, 9d
Leah Wiese: 1d
Ella Bolling: 3k, 7d, 2sa
Mlnarik: 9k, 1a, 1b, 9d, 8sa
Schumacher: 3k
Ahlers: 1k, 1b, 1d
S. Wiese: 5k, 1b, 1d
Statistics v O'Neill
P. Robertson: 1a, 29d, 1sa
Nilson: 1a, 15d
L. Wiese: 4d
Bolling: 7k, 2b, 23d, 4sa
Mlnarik: 21k, 2a, 3b, 26d, 2sa
Schumacher: 10k, 1b, 6d
Ahlers: 1k, 3b, 6d
Sanne: 1a, 17d, 33sa
S.Wiese: 5k, 2a, 3b, 1d
Schlecht, 1a, 5d
Amy Kerkman | SAM
Big hit, all smiles • Caydence Schumacher powers the volleyball over the net in a recent match against North Central.
Statistics v N-O
P. Robertson:14d, 1sa
L. Robertson: 6k, 1b, 17d, 17sa
Nilson: 1a, 7d
Bolling: 11d, 1sa
Mlnarik: 13k, 3b, 11d, 10sa
Schumacher: 4k, 1b, 4d
Ahlers: 4k, 1b, 3d, 2sa
S. Wiese: 6k, 2a, 1b, 4d
Schlecht: 2a, 6d
Reader Comments(0)