Written by Katlyn Marotz, Staff Writer
After coming one match short from heading to state for the 2019-20 season, Indian Trail’s girls varsity volleyball team got into a stunning rhythm and made out with a 3-1 impactful win Friday night, Oct. 2, against Franklin, at Indian Trail High School & Academy.
Bouncing back after a 21-25 loss in the first match, they won the second set 26-24, third set 25-22, and finally the fourth set 25-20. Achieving a total of 97-91, they are currently at a 2-3 record (wins-losses) as of Oct. 2.
Junior Avery Longrie (#16) lead the team with 11 powerful kills, making the team total out to 42. Both senior Bella Bratzke (#7) and junior Lauren Ballie (#15) lead the team to an outstanding team total of 70 digs. Bratzke, sophomore Lanie Hawley (#9), and senior Sophia Menke (#13) all successfully obtained a total of five blocks, adding up to 12 in total. Throughout the game, both Bratzke and Menke each made five assists, making a total of 19 including other teammates. They all came together to achieve a soaring total of 95 service aces.
If the Indian Trail girls can keep these kinds of numbers up, it’ll mean extraordinary things when the WIAA matches come
around the corner Oct. 20, especially with their next match Oct. 7 against Franklin. This will be a challenging test for the girls to prove they are a strong contender and prepared to put up a good fight against other regional teams.
“We have many key returners from last year’s team back this year, and they now know what it takes to play at that high level under the stress of playoffs,” Coach Ashley Kuehl said, addressing varsity’s current state. “I think they will be an exciting team to watch in the playoffs.”
She said this year’s team has done an outstanding job of unselfishly sharing the ball and adapting to the difficult changes – wearing face masks throughout the entire game, and pre-season training delays due to COVID-19 – that were imposed upon them.
Breathtaking things are expected out of this tight-knit group of girls. Keep your eyeballs peeled for the team’s game at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 13, against Bradford at Bradford High School.