MIDDLEFIELD—Cardinal coach Karisca Chambers wasn’t sure what to expect out of her Huskies in Tuesday’s Chagrin Valley Conference Valley Division showdown with rival Berkshire.
Chambers didn’t have the opportunity to scout the Badgers before the game and despite a 3-1 setback, she was pleased with what she saw.
“We were kind of going into it blindly because I didn’t get a chance to see them,” Chambers said. “This just fuels us for the next time when we play Berkshire. It showed us our potential and what we can accomplish this year.”
The Badgers won the first game 25-22 but the Huskies battled right back for a 27-25 win in the second set.
“It’s always tough when you play Berkshire,” Chambers said. “I think we did a better job as a team today of keeping our composure. In the past, when we’re losing we kind of emotionally get lost, but I think today the girls put up a good fight against Berkshire. I think it could have gone either way.”
It went Berkshire’s way in the final two sets as the Badgers pulled out 25-16 and 25-19 wins.
The Huskies did their best to contain Berkshire ace McKenna Tucek, a Georgia Southern recruit. Tucek finished with 18 kills and 11 digs.
“That’s the intensity we love to see,” Chambers said. “McKenna is a great player but I tell the girls it takes a total team effort. They might have a great hitter here and there but we have just as equal hitters.”
Megan Zeigler led the Huskies with 10 kills, three aces and 25 digs. Hanna Traggiai pitched in with 16 assists and 15 digs and Kaylee Klepper recorded six kills.
