Left: Molly LaVigne, a sophomore, takes a hard serve from the Floodwood Polar Bear server and bumps it to her front line. Above: Going low and keeping a spiked ball from hitting the floor was Morgan Starkey, who is another stalwart volleyball player for the Vikings. Staff photos/Laurie Johnson
A young Cook County High School varsity volleyball team opened its season at home on Tuesday, August 27, against the Floodwood Polar Bears and fell 3-1 in the match.
The Vikings showed some nerves in the first game. The score was 3-3, and it ended with the Polar Bears taking the game 25-10, much of the damage caused by the big spikes coming from Floodwood’s CJ Thompson.
Nerves settled, the Vikings settled in and played much better in the second game. Head coach Marlene Wester used a couple of time outs to set up plays, and the Vikings’ play significantly improved. They battled hard at the net with Morgan Starkey, Charlet Waver, Paisley Smith, Emmalli Meyers, and Bianca Zimmer blocking some of the thunder coming from the Floodwood front row, and the Vikings’ offense settled down and ran much more efficiently.
Still, the Vikings, who were close most of the way – down 17-13 and looking like they could make a run – instead, seemed to lose some steam and fell 25-16.
Game three looked like the two teams traded personalities. An energized Viking squad got to every wayward ball, blocked at the net, returned hard-hit serves and served exceptionally well themselves. They buried the Polar Bears behind a blizzard of points, which snowballed to a 17-5 lead.
However, a slumbering Polar Bear team fought and clawed their way back and were only two points behind 21-19. At that juncture, the Vikings settled down and won 25-20.
With the crowd behind them, the Vikings kept up their good play through much of the fourth game. The two teams were tied 15-15 in the last game, and both squads made some spectacular recoveries and great plays on the ball. Paige Everson, Sadie Wilson, Katie Peck, and Alyssa Spry all hit the floor for loose balls.
However, Floodwood returned to its power game at that point and surged to win 25-15.
Floodwood’s CJ Thompson finished with 16 kills, and four ace serves. Imijyn Thompson had 18 set assists, and Neva Polo finished with seven kills, and five ace serves.
Senior libero Alyssa Spry, who recorded 33 digs, led the Vikings. Molly LaVigne ended with a team-high 20 set assists, and Paisley Smith had 14 digs, and four ace serves.
The Vikings played Esko at Esko on August 29 and then played Silver Bay at home on Friday with a home game scheduled September 3 against Cromwell. The varsity will take the floor at 6:30 p.m. against Silver Bay and Cromwell. Come out and cheer for your Vikings!
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