During the first week of October the Lady Wolves participated in two matches that both went to five sets. In both occasions the Wolves were able to bring home victories.
On Tuesday, Oct. 2, Manwa played host to the Bonduel Bears. That evening began with celebration as it was Senior Night. Seniors Wendy Kons, Ansley Block and Megan O’Brien, were honored and showered with gifts in thanks for their dedication to the Manawa Wolves Volleyball Program. The night ended in celebration too when the Wolves beat the Bears.
In set one, Lexie Sell, the Wolves’ setter and first server, started the night off right with a seven-point run, including two aces. Though the Wolves would not have another run quite that big, they were able to hold off the Bears to win the first set 25-16.
In the second set the two teams played back and forth, with neither team earning more than 5 points at any one time. The Bears were able to gain more offensive points, and they took the second set, 25-16.
Defense ruled in the third set. Within this game there were 25 side outs! Manawa fought hard to win the third set and go up 2-0, 25-20.
Manawa started the fourth set out strong with two aces from Sell. The Bears fought back to tie the game at 6 and then took the lead 9-7 on the next server. The Bears continued to dominate, even leading 17-9 at one point.
Determined not to take the match to a fifth and final set the Wolves slowly fought back. With the score 24-19 in the Bears favor, the Wolves held off set point four times, with clutch serving from Aubrie Millard. The Wolves earned a side out, getting their 20th point and then Millard served 3 in a row to make the score 24-23. Unfortunately, her next serve was just outside the back line and the Bears won 25-23.
In the fifth and final set, the Wolves took an early 3-0 lead. Though the Bears would bring it with one point at 7-6 and two points at 13-11, they never overcame the early deficit and Manawa won 15-11.
Ansley Block, the Wolves’ senior middle hitter, had one of her best matches of the season. She led her team with 21 points! She had 15 kills, four solo blocks and two aces. She also served 20-20.
Both outside hitters, Megan O’Brien and Breana Haines really helped their team out too. They each had 9 points and O’Brien contributed 17 digs while Haines served 8-8.
In their second match of the week the Wolves traveled to Marion for a non-conference match-up.
The Wolves started the evening very strong, beating Marion 25-10 in the first set. Unfortunately, they lost their spark in the second set. With four missed serves from the Wolves, Marion took the second set, 25-15.
The Wolves found it very difficult to change the momentum in the third set. Though the served better, including aces from Sell, Block, Young and Kons, they could not overcome the Mustangs. Marion took the third set, 25-19.
Determined to win the match, Manawa came out swinging in set number four. The set remained close, with neither team taking a large lead until Manawa’s Breana Haines stepped up to serve. She served 6 points in a row, with 3 of them being aces. This allowed the Wolves to take a 20-7 lead. Marion earned only two points on their side out and then Wolves finished the game on their very next server, 25-9.
The fifth set was very close. After one full rotation of servers, Marion was ahead 10-9. On the side out Manawa tied the game at 10. Then Courtlynn Oltz stepped up to serve. She served 3 points in a row, putting Manawa up by 3. Marion fought hard but was unable to overcome that spread. Manawa won the set and match, 15-13.
Three of the Manawa Wolves players were in double digits for points in this match! Block had 16 points while Haines had 13 and O’Brien contributed 12. Kali Young was not far behind them with 9 points.