WAPAKONETA – It was opening night for Wapakoneta volleyball and the Redskins showed the potential for an outstanding season.
The Redskins knocked off visiting Upper Scioto Valley by scores of 25-11, 26-24, and 25-12 to claim a three set win and get off to a 1-0 start to the year.
Wapakoneta jumped out to 5-0 lead in the first game and never looked back as they controlled the net and their passing and receiving games were solid. The Redskins lead grew to 21-9 before Sarah Pothast served the final two points to give the Redskins the first game win.
The Rams (0-2) looked like a different team in the second game as they took the lead five different times before the Redskins finally closed them out 26-24. Their energy level was very high but they were unable to finish off the Redskins, despite taking leads of 23-22 and 24-23.
“We have to continue to work hard and try to get better every day,” USV coach Juli Dearing said. “We play with heart but they have to believe they can do it and they proved they can in that second game.”
That close call got the attention of the Redskins and they bounced back strong as they raced to a 25-12 win in the third game. The final six points of the game, and match, came on serves from Katie Klopfenstein.
“I felt like when we did what we needed to do, we controlled the game.” Redskins coach Kim Selvey said. “They (USV) were aggressive in the second game and we told Pothast she has the ability to take over a game and she did in that third game. A win is a win and we have room to grow.”
The Redskins were very effective getting the ball to the right person, in the right spot, especially in the first and third games.
Pothast led the Wapakoneta effort with 12 kills and three aces while Makenzie Wilson had five blocks. Katie Klopfenstein and Kayla Crawford both recorded five kills.
Mackenzie Lange and libero Alexa Lambert both totaled three aces and Lange paced the Redskins with 23 assists. Alexa Lambert had seven digs. As a team, the Redskins recorded 14 aces.
Senior Callie Daniels had a strong match at the net for the Rams and libero Tessa Shirk was strong at both digs and assists.
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