September 23, 2019 at 11:24 a.m.
Hodag volleyball pushes Lakeland to 5 sets at GNC tournament
Hodag volleyball pushes Lakeland to 5 sets at GNC tournament
The Hodags took Lakeland to the brink, falling 15-13 in a decisive fifth set, during the first GNC tournament of the season at Sheldon Fieldhouse in Antigo. That was preceded by three competitive sets in a loss earlier in the day against Northland Pines.
"They really fought today and it really showed," coach Brianna Scheuermann said. "I'm just glad they brought that intensity and fight. That's something I've been looking for this whole season."
Rhinelander rallied from down 13-9 in the final set against Lakeland to tie it at 13 all and force Lakeland to spend a timeout, but Megan Haggart got a kill through a Rhinelander double block to set up the T-Birds with match point, and Rhinelander setter Aryssa Zasada was called for a lifting violation as she tried to track down a ball near the right sideline to decide the match.
The Hodags came out firing against a Lakeland team that took a set from GNC-leading Mosinee earlier in the day, jumping out to a 20-10 lead in the opening set. Lakeland inched back to within 23-19 when Rhinelander spent a timeout. Two Lakeland errors in the next three points gave Rhinelander the first set, 25-20.
Lakeland jumped out to an 8-2 lead in the second set and Rhinelander was never quite able to recover. An Ariel Pauer kill put Rhinelander within 12-10 later in the set, but Lakeland responded with an 8-2 burst and eventually evened the match with a 25-17 win. It was a similar story in the third as Lakeland used an 8-2 run to take a 22-12 lead. Rhinelander rattled off six straight points to get to within 23-19, but Lakeland claimed the final two points.
Rhinelander led early in the fourth set before Lakeland went on an 8-1 run to take a 17-15 lead. Rhinelander scored four of the next five points following a time out inch in front 19-18. The teams traded points down the stretch. Senior Cynthia Beavers broke a 26-all tie with a kill and Hannah Worachek finished with an ace to give Rhinelander a 28-26 win and force the fifth set.
"I was glad to see the girls coming out and getting to five sets. It was nice to see that," Scheuermann said.
Rhinelander was swept by Northland Pines 25-14, 25-23, 25-12, but showed life late in each of the first two sets. Down 22-10, the Hodags scored four of the next five points in the first set. In the second set, Rhinelander was down 23-12 before responding with an 11-1 run.
"I think we can get into one rotation where we can put the ball down, have a solid back row defense and really rack up the points," Scheuermann said.
Beavers finished with 20 kills, 42 digs and five service aces for Rhinelander on the day. Pauer added 18 kills, 18 digs and five blocks. Zasada had 51 assists, 30 digs and four aces.
Fresh faces
Down a couple of regular starters Saturday due to family obligations, the Hodags called up sophomore Carly Schmidt to play libero and freshman Ava Lamers from the JV team to play up front. Both contributed throughout the day. Schmidt finished the day with a team-high 46 digs while Lamers chipped in seven kills and two blocks up front.
"I think they definitely added to the team today with great attitudes," Scheuermann said. "They brought that hustle mentality. They just really brought it today, which really helped that other girls."
Bringing Schmidt up to varsity allowed Worachek, who normally plays libero, to play all-around. She tallied 11 kills and 21 digs between the two matches.
"Having her up front, she's able to get touches and hitting the ball too," Scheuermann said. "It's a little bit of a transition for her because she's so used to playing libero. She's got to find her timing for hitting but she was hitting the ball hard and playing smart, too. She was finding open areas with tipping."
Rhinelander (1-17, 0-5 Great Northern) returns to action tonight at Mosinee and Scheuermann said she's looking forward to getting Lamers and Schmidt more involved in the varsity rotation.
"Next week, having them practice more (with the varsity) and getting them more in tune, it will just help us. They'll get more comfortable, more confident and put it out on the court," she said.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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