On Saturday, Cardinal won the first two sets then held off Hawken’s rally in a 3-2 win. The Huskies played things a bit differently in Monday’s league match at Kirtland.
The Hornets opened the match with a 27-25 win but Cardinal rallied to win the next three and the match, 25-16, 25-13, 25-16.
“Even though we dropped the first set, the girls took control of the next games from set two to four,” said Cardinal coach Karisca Chambers. “They were determined to come out aggressive and swing at Kirtland.”
Swing they did.
Kaylee Klepper recorded a match-high 16 kills and Megan Zeigler added 12.
Zeigler also posted five of Cardinal’s service aces and 12 digs and Hanna Traggiai led the Huskies with 31 assists.
“Our serving was very strong tonight,” Chambers said. “I’m proud of the way we pushed through collectively as a team.”
Kirtland played without standout Katherine Skrbis.
“It was tough losing one of our top hitters before the match, but the girls stepped up and came out aggressive in game one and played great,” said Kirtland coach Bob Schenosky. “Unfortunately, in games two through four, Cardinal had a run in each and that was the difference.”
Anna Shuppe led the Hornets with 10 kills and also recorded 12 assists, eight digs and three blocks. Nicole Aveni pitched in with 18 digs and Elise Frazee had 34 digs and a pair of aces.
“I thought Anna Shuppe especially did well stepping in and leading us in kills, while also doing a superb job setting,” Schenosky said. “Elise Frazee and Nicole Aveni played well in the back row. I thought we served well and kept them out of system quite a bit, but our mistakes during those runs got the better of us. I was proud of the effort.”
