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photo by Eric Johnson
Austin's Bri Mayer celebrates a point in game two against Winona Thursday night in Packer Gym.
Packer volleyball team steps up in the clutch
Originally published 12:08 a.m., September 18, 2009
Updated 12:08 a.m., September 18, 2009
Photo by Eric Johnson
Austin's Julia Wagner spikes against Winona Thursday night in Packer Gym.
Packers' setter Kayla Rodgers moves the ball forward during game two of a match against Winona Thursday night at Packer Gym. Austin won in five games.
The Austin volleyball team shined in the most intense of situations to pull out a five-game win over Winona in Packer Gym Thursday on parent’s night.
The Packers (2-8 overall, 1-3 Big Nine) got some big performances from their big hitters in a 16-14 game five win over the Winhawks.
Austin senior Bri Mayer, who finished with a career-high 15 kills, slammed down a spike to make it 15-14 Austin and Winona couldn’t handle a serve from Austin’s Emily Majerus to end the contest.
“It’s an awesome feeling. We finally won our first conference match and we really needed this one for the next games coming up,” Mayer said. “The fans were awesome tonight and they keep us pumped up and ready.”
Mayer knocked down three kills in the deciding game and Emily Weiss, who had 16 kills and five blocks, knocked down four points in the last game.
Austin led 11-8 before the Winhawks rallied to tie it the match at 14 after Austin served into the net.
But the Packers were able to close it out.
“I think we just got the momentum going and we wanted to win that fifth game to give them a long ride home,” Mayer said.
Weiss and Mayer both took advantage of some strong serving from Kayla Rodgers, who had eight assists, and freshman Jenna Svoboda, who had 26 assists and three ace serves.
“I’ve got a lot of confidence in them,” Mayer said. “We’re getting it timed and getting our hits where they need to be.”
Austin head coach Darica Schneider said that Svoboda showed what she could do in the fifth game when she assisted four of Austin’s last six points.
“She really was (calm). I don’t bring up young players to watch, I bring them up to play,” Schneider said. “She has it clearly and she’s where she needs to be. She plays good defense and she gets her hands on the ball. It’s exciting for the future of the program.”
Schneider was also pleased with how the fans of both teams made the final seconds extremely energetic.
“It was a great crowd. I have never heard the gym as loud as it was tonight,” she said.
Jenny Soiney had 24 digs and three aces for Austin, Ashley Follmuth had 21 digs and 37 serve receives, Robin Arjes had five kills, and Majerus was 13-for-14 on serves.
Austin won the first game 25-20, took the third game 25-18, but dropped the second game 25-21, and lost the fourth game 25-13.
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