Lourdes sweeps Austin volleyball team in season opener
Published 10:33 pm Thursday, August 27, 2015
Austin’s Amber Hansen, left, and Shayley Vesel try to block a hit by Rochester Lourdes Nicole Seymour during game one Thursday night in Packer Gym. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
The Austin volleyball team had a bumpy start to its season as it lost one of its players to injury early on in a 25-18, 25-16, 25-19 loss to Rochester Lourdes in Packer Gym Thursday.
Austin’s Ashley Hawkshead hits from the back row during game one of the Packers’ match against Rochester Lourdes Thursday night in Packer Gym. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Austin senior setter Marissa Hart went down with an apparent knee injury when the first game was 4-3 Lourdes and she never returned. The loss of Hart saw Austin turn to two sophomore setters — Lauryn Bell and Trinity Gray — to fill her role the rest of the way.
“It was hard to get over [Hart’s injury], but I think that we pulled through pretty good,” said Austin senior hitter Abbi Collins, who had six kills. “I think we played pretty well together. It was nice to get the underclassmen in and get them some experience.”
The Packers (0-1 overall) were within 17-15 late in the first game before Lourdes pulled away, they led 10-7 in the second game and they trailed just 10-9 early in the final game.
“We’ve got to work on pushing through every game and not stopping halfway through,” Collins said.
Bell finished with five set assists and Gray had four set assists as both of them were thrust into varsity action after Hart went down.
“Lauryn and Trinity both did a nice job and you can’t ask for anymore from them,” Austin head coach Cindy Owen said. “The kids said they felt confident being out there with them. Obviously we had worked with Marissa quite a bit, but now we’re going to work with these two girls a little more.”
Ashley Hawkshead had six kills for Austin and Kelsey Sederquest had 11 digs. Owen said her team competed well in its season opener.
Austin’s Lauryn Bell sets at the net against Rochester Lourdes in game one of their match Thursday night in Packer Gym. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
“We did some very nice things. The kids did a nice job of covering and passing,” she said. “They’re hungry. They want some wins. You can feel it and I think we’re going to get some [wins].”
Austin stats: Abbi Collins, 11-for-12 hitting with 6 kills; Ashley Hawkshead, 11-for-14 with 6 kills, 1 ace serve; Shayley Vesel, 5-for-7 hitting with 3 kills, 3 ace serves, 7 points serving; Kelsey Sederquest, 11 digs, 1 ace serve, 4 points serving; Awenia Nywesh, 5 points serving; Amber Hansen, 3 solo blocks; Lauryn Bell, 5 set assists; Trinity Gray, 4 set assists; Marissa Hart, 2 set assists
