Tired Titans prevail in matchup against Tigers
Oct. 6—DICKINSON — After coming off of a two-day, seven-game tournament over the weekend, the Trinity Titans took on the New England Tigers Tuesday evening at their home court in Dickinson. The Titans had lower energy than usual but managed to pull together to sweep New England 3-1.
Going into the opening set, Trinity was confident and controlled on the court and took a comfortable lead, which the Tigers were unable to answer. Compared to previous games, the Titans communication was not 100%.
"I think we came out a little disconnected in set two," Breanna Sisson, Trinity head coach said.
"We had 12 errors in hitting errors alone in the second. Once we start to clean that up, we'll play as one."
New England capitalized on Trinity's sluggish mistakes and won set two 25-23. The Titans made a hand full of missed serves and tipped several shots that ended in points for the Tigers. The score tied two times before Trinity fell behind late in the set. New England put up solid blocks in the front row and executed a strategic combination of high and low spikes that mixed up the pace of the game.
"Overall, we were flat and came out with not a lot of energy, which we definitely need in region games," Ava Jahner, Titans middle hitter said. "I think it's because we played so many games this weekend, that we are exhausted from that. We tried to stay mentally strong and finish through the end of the set."
Jahner says she saw Trinity put up a lot of single blocks in the middle throughout the game and previous tournament and noted that a lot of teams in the region are nailing double blocks, which are harder to cut around.
The Titans snapped back in set three with a revitalized spirit that put them in the lead early. They had consistent coverage on the court and regained their drive with an ace by senior defensive specialist Nevaeh Muckle. They dominated the scoreboard again in the final set and New England's power fizzled out.
Sisson says the Titans need to come into every game with a quick, strong start to maintain their undefeated 6-0 region record.
Trinity (6-0) def. New England 3-1 (25-13, 23-25, 25-15, 25-10)
Team Leaders THS: Kills — 13, Ava Jahner, 11, Bella Kovash, 9, Olivia Kessel, Helena Pavek, 6, Melissa Zach; Aces — 2, Nevaeh Muckle, Jahner, 1, Delaney Deschamp, Kovash; Blocks — 4, Jahner, Zach; Digs — 17, Kessel, 11, Jersey Erie, 7, Kovash, 6, Jahner, Deschamp; Assists — 49, Deschamp
Team Leaders NEHS: Kills — 11, Messa Kuehl, 5, Hannah Frank, 3, Samantha Volk; Aces — 1, Sophie Olsonawski, Volk, Kuehl, Maddie Rayhorn; Blocks — 4, Kuehl, 3, Frank; Digs — 14, Sophie Olsonawski, 13, Molly Wolf, 8, Volk, Leslie Anaya, 7, Kuehl, 5, Emma Olsonawski; Assists — 20, Wolf
