Packer volleyball team falls to Blossoms in three games
Published 10:07 pm Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Austin’s Rachel Wahlert hits over the net during game two of the Packers’ match against Blooming Prairie in Blooming Prairie Tuesday night. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
BLOOMING PRAIRIE —The Blooming Prairie volleyball team used a two setter offense for the first time in a long time and the results were good as it swept Austin by scores of 25-14, 25-16, 25-21 in BP Tuesday.
The Awesome Blossoms (1-1 overall) used the combination of setters Madison Worke and Lizz Willert to set up Taylor Hagen for 13 kills. Worke added three kills of her own to go with her 23 set assists and Willert had three kills and six set assists.
“We slipped into a two setter offense and that will offer us some good versatility,” BP head coach Gina McLaughlin said. “It isn’t seamless yet, but it’s a good start.”
Worke is used to being the primary setter, but she didn’t mind sharing the duties on Tuesday. It gave her a chance to play near the net more and impact the game in other ways.
“It gives us a variety,” Worke said. “The last couple of years I’ve been the only setter, but I like it when Lizz can do some setting too.”
Hagen said the offense works well when Worke stays aggressive.
“When I’m in the back row, it’s nice to have Madison hit,” Hagen said. “It works well for both of us.”
Austin (0-9 overall) improved in every game and it was within 22-21 after a kill by Mer Gach in game three before bowing out. Austin head coach Cindy Owen said her team is getting better.
They were moving much better. It’s coming,” Owen said. “They were picking up some hits that they would’ve let drop earlier in the season. We put up some blocks and we haven’t blocked very well this season and we made some digs against their good hitters.”
Trista Akkerman led the Packers with three kills and Kelsey Sederquest had 18 digs.
Blooming Prairie’s Sara Noble receives a serve during game two of their match against Austin Tuesday night in Blooming Prairie. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Austin stats: Trista Akkerman, 3 kills; Mer Gach, 2 kills, 3 ace blocks; Rachel Wahlert, 3 kills; Shayley Vesel, 2 kills, 7 set assists; Kylah Miller, 2 kills; Kelsey Sederquest, 18 digs; Marrisa Hart, 4 set assists; Erin Dankert, 7 points serving
BP stats: Taylor Hagen, 13 kills, 4 digs, 4 ace serves, 1 block; Madison Worke, 23 set assists, 11 digs, 3 kills, 1 ace serve; Molly Walsh, 1 kill, 1 block; Sara Noble, 3 kills, 9 digs; Luaren Larkoski, 4 kills, 7 digs, 1 ace serve; Nicole Inwards, 28 digs, 2 kills, 1 ace serve; Lizz Willert, 1 ace serve, 3 kills, 14 digs, 2 blocks, 6 set assists