“The elephant is off their back,” Volleyball Head Coach Pam Taylor said following her team’s opening season 3-2 loss to the Marshall Hilltoppers at Marshall on Tuesday, August 30.
What Taylor was referring to was that Cook County went undefeated in the regular season last year. Cook County was the only team— large or small—that went into the 2015 state tournament with an unblemished mark on their record.
“We lost the first game 29-27, the second 25-18 and then rallied to win the third game 25-22 and the fourth game 25-23 before falling 15-4 in the last game. We just ran out of steam in that last match,” said Taylor.
Junior outside hitter Meredith Sutton led the Vikings with 25 kills and junior setter Raina Ryden had an impressive 56 digs. Senior Emily Jacobsen also played well in the front court, Taylor said, ending her night with 15 kills.
Marshall, said Taylor, had a solid team led by an outstanding outside hitter and a great libero.
“We played hard. There were a lot of long rallies and unfortunately we lost most of those points. But I’m not disappointed at all. Remember, this is a different group of girls this year. Everyone will be gunning for us. Everyone wants revenge. Like I told the girls, unfortunately they are going to want to take out last season’s losses on you.”
Taylor only returned three starters from last year’s team and with so many new starters the team suffered some first game jitters, she said.
“There were a few times we forgot to talk to each other on the court and some balls hit the floor, not too many, but we can improve on that. Our serving was pretty good. Overall I was happy with that aspect of our game. We had some rotation problems and I will make a few changes to correct that. I have to say that I was pleased with the way the kids played. They never quit and that means a lot to me.”
Taylor’s team is made up of six seniors, Emily Jacobsen, twins Sarah and Hannah Toftey, twins Maranda and Mariah Deschampe, and Tarin Hanson; four juniors, Meredith Sutton, Raina Ryden, Abby Prom, Hanna Borson and two sophomores Alyssa Lashinski and Reilly Wahlers.
Catch the volleyball action
The Vikings played Barnum at home on September 1. Mighty Esko comes to town on Thursday, September 8, no doubt still stinging from the home game loss they suffered last year.
Next the Vikings play four away games (Sept. 12 at Mesabi East; Sept. 13 at Mountain Iron- Buhl; Sept. 15 at Moose Lake/Willow River; Sept. 20 at Silver Bay) and then come home for three games, the first against South Ridge on Thursday, September 22, then Wrenshall on Sept. 26 and Lakeview Christian Academy the following day. All home games start at 6:30 p.m.
Four of the Vikings’ last five games are played on the road. The Vikings play away at Two Harbors on Sept. 29; face Floodwood on Oct. 4; Cromwell on Oct. 11 and Carlton on Oct. 18. In between the Vikings are home to play McGregor on October 6.
Come out and cheer on your Vikings!
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