The Vikings’ libero Alyssa Spry sends the ball to her frontcourt as Reilly Wahlers (8) and Sophie Eliasen (4) look on. Staff photos/Laurie Johnson
The CCHS Vikings got off to a slow start in a non-conference game against the Proctor Rails on Monday, Sept. 24, losing 25-13 in the first game played at home in the Pam Taylor gym.
Second set action, however, was fast and furious as each team fought to a 12-12 tie before Proctor, behind the big jump serve of Payton Roberg, who finished with six ace serves, pulled away and won 25-21.
With Alyssa Fenstad Lashinski out of the line-up due to illness, the Vikings were without their best spike artist and shot blocker. Lashinski is also arguably the Vikings’ best server with her wicked jump serve.
During that second set, the Vikings got some big blocks at the net from Sophie Eliasen and Reilly Wahlers. Andrea Larsen served for four straight points, and Paisley Smith saved several points with great play on tough shots that came her way.
Emma Smith also had a good night on the floor, making seven assists while she – with the whole Viking line-up – tried to find an answer to slowing down the thunderous spikes of the Rails’ Sam Pogatchnik, who ended with 18 kills and seven set assists.
Above: Morgan Starkey, just a freshman, makes a nice play on this ball with her teammates looking on. Morgan is the youngest starter on this year’s Viking volleyball team. Left: Andrea Larsen (3) fights off a hard jump serve delivered by Proctor’s ace server Payton Roberg.
In the third game, the Viking libero Alyssa Spry made a half dozen great plays on the back line to set her teammates up on the front line. The Vikings looked like they were starting to gel in that game. Some of the points in the third set weren’t earned until the ball was sent back and forth between the two teams six, seven, eight times. It was fun to watch as each team had players making phenomenal shots, sometimes hitting the floor, diving to make spectacular saves.
The Vikings were up 17-16 in the third before Roberg served to a 22-17 lead. The Vikings rallied to bring the score to 22-19 before the Rails put the game away, winning 25-20.
Reilly Wahlers finished with two ace serves and two ace blocks while Sophie Eliasen had 10 digs, five kills, and three ace blocks. Freshman Morgan Starkey, an outside hitter, also had some excellent plays on the evening as did Bianca Zimmer, Abbie Crawford, Sela Backstrom, and Elsa Lunde.
Although the Vikings lost, the team played with great enthusiasm and much heart. Head coach Marlene Webster used virtually her whole bench throughout the night, and the kids gave great effort in the match.
The Vikings are currently fourth in the 12-team Polar League with a 5-2 conference record. Overall the squad is 5-5 on the year.
The Vikings played at home on Thursday, Sept 27 against Barnum then play two away games before coming back home on Thursday, October 4 to face McGregor. The varsity takes the floor at 6:30 p.m. Come out and cheer for your Vikings!
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