Vikings sweep Packers
Published 10:11 pm Thursday, August 30, 2012
Hayfield's Rachel Czaplewski makes a set as Austin's Alex Hansen attempts to block at the net in Hayfield Thursday. The Vikings beat the Packers in three games. -- Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
HAYFIELD — The Vikings just had a little too much experience for the Packers.
Hayfield relied on its veteran setter Rachel Czaplewski and experienced hitter Dani Wagner to make up for its otherwise new roster as it swept Austin by scores of 25-19, 25-16, 25-21 in a volleyball match in Hayfield Thursday.
Austin's Joceylyn Sheehan hits between Hayfield's Kate Pike, left and Dani Wagner in Hayfield Thursday. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
The Packers (0-2 overall) showed the most fight in the third game as they led 14-11 after Alex Hansen slammed down a kill, but the Vikings took the lead for good when Jo Bungum put down a spike to make it 16-15 Hayfield.
“It’s a difference between playing together where you know each other like the back of your hand, and we’re still trying to get used to each other,” Austin head coach Barry Brobeck said. “We’re young, but what I saw tonight shows that we’ll be just fine.”
Czaplewski set the tone herself in the first game as she served three straight aces to put Hayfield up 5-0. The Vikings (1-0 overall) plan to play in a two-setter system this season, but with the absence of Jessie Foster, Czaplewski handled the setting duties by herself and she finished with 22 set assists.
“Rachel’s played varsity since she was a freshman and she was the little kid on the block,” said Deb Harvey, who is filling in for Hayfield head coach Kim Severson. “Now she’s developed into a leader and that’s great.”
Czaplewski locked in on Wagner for a majority of the last two games as Wagner finished with 11 kills.
“I’m looking to (Dani) a lot. She’s my go to hitter,” Czaplewski, a senior, said. “I was totally excited (for the opener tonight) and I wanted to get out there and show them what I got.”
The Austin volleyball team celebrates a point against Hayfield. -- Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
Wagner, a junior, gave credit to some of her younger teammates for playing solid when the team was switching its offense.
“We really had to work hard to get our formation back to five-one,” she said. “Our young people stepped up.”
Austin stats: Jenna Svoboda, 11 assists, 4 kills, 9 digs, 90 percent serving, 1 ace; Alex Hansen, 6 kills, 6 digs, 90 percent serving, 1 ace; Jocelyn Sheehan, 6 kills
Hayfield stats: Rachel Czaplewski, 22 assists, 3 aces, 2 ace blocks, 6 digs; Dani Wagner, 11 kills, 4 ace blocks, 2 aces; Jo Bungum, 5 kills, 5 digs, 1 ace; Katelyn Bjornson, 3 blocks; Syd Tapp, 6 digs, 2 aces; Emery Cates, 4 digs, 2 aces; Kaila Meyer, 2 aces
