Article Image Alt Text

Lady Cards put together a 2-1 week

RANDOLPH — The Randolph Lady Cardinals went 2-1 last week to move to 5-4 overall and solidify their Class D2 state ranking with a Lewis and Clark Conference win over Osmond.

Randolph fell to Ponca early last week 3-0 (25-13, 25-18, 25- 19) before sweeping two games in a home triangular Thursday.

The Lady Cardinals beat Tri-County Northeast 2-1 (25-14, 20-25, 25-21) and Osmond 2-1 (25-19, 20-25, 25-21).

“Against Ponca, we came out a little bit flat and didn’t have our best night,” Randolph head coach Rob Engel said. “We came out great against both Tri-County and Osmond, but had some letdowns in the second set of both games, so we need to be a little more consistent. Our hitters had some great swings all night, and our defense played great.”

The team is clicking well together, Engel said.

“The girls are all playing so well as a team. It’s great to see everyone doing what they can to help the team.”

That team just got stronger with the return of Emmalee Harder.

“We now have Emmalee Harder back from injury and that adds another dimension to our attack and also another big blocker on defense,” he said. “We need to keep getting better and more consistent with our serve receive game.”

Against Tri County, Keeley Pinkelman had nine kills, Bailey Beal had six kills and three total blocks and Abby Schmit, and Erin Engel had 13 and 12 assists apiece.

In beating Osmond, Beal had 12 kills and five total blocks while Jaiden Taylor added seven kills, Gracie Eledge finished with seven digs, Erin Engel quarterbacked to the tune of 17 assists and Schmit added 15 assists.

Natalie Munter had 10 kills in the loss at Ponca while Beal finished with five total blocks.

Engel has had the senior outside hitter Munter continue to step up for the Lady Cardinals.

“She has really become a smart hitter and she plays great defense in the back row,” Engel said. “Natalie is a captain and one of the leaders on the team: She’s a great example for our younger players.”

Munter says that team chemistry has continued to play a huge role in the squad’s positive attitude and allows them to play at a consistently high level.

Her presence sure has helped that process and Munter takes that role seriously.

“I always try to play my best and be a positive role model to keep the team positive and having them play their best,” Munter said. “During practices I try to cheer everyone on and if they need help, to help them out. If something bad happens, I tell them to shake it off and get the next one.

“I just try to cheer them on for every single thing they do,” she said.

Munter admits she has always been a positive person and enjoys it when others have the same insight about their own selves.

She also has done her fair share of trying to improve her own game.

“I always try to do my best and will always push myself to get better,” Munter said. “That’s always my goal. In volleyball, I always worked on the little things like passing and hitting, watching your timing and getting your arm swing right.”

Munter hopes the team can continue to improve its serve receive and passing games to make the next jump.

Randolph faced of with Neligh-Oakdale Tuesday and faces off at district rival Wausa Thursday night.

“We have a tough game against undefeated Wausa on Thursday, so I’m sure it will be an intense environment,” Engel said.

Randolph 25 20 25

Osmond 19 25 21

KILLS Randoph - Jaiden Taylor, 7; Keely Pinkelman, 5; Natalie Munter, 5; Abby Schmit, 5; Emmalee Harder, 2.

DIGS Randolph - Gracie Eledge, 7; Jaiden Taylor, 5; Keely Pinkelman, 4; Erin Engel, 1; Ariel Fye, 1.

SET ASSISTS Randolph - Abby Schmit, 15; Jenna Albers, 1; Natalie Munter, 1.

BLOCKS Randolph - Bailey Beal, 5; Jaiden Taylor, 2; Abby Schmit, 2.

ACE SERVES Randolph - Erin Engel, 1; Jaiden Taylor, 1; Keely Pinkelman, 1; Natalie Munter, 1.

Randolph 25 20 25

Tri-County NE 14 25 21

KILLS Randoph - Bailey Beal, 9; Keely Pinkelman, 6; Natalie Munter, 4; Jaiden Taylor, 3; Abby Schmit, 2; Emmalee Harder, 1.

DIGS Randolph - Jaiden Taylor, 3; Keely Pinkelman, 3; Ariel Fye, 2; Natalie Munter, 2; Gracie Eledge, 1; Erin Engel, 1;

SET ASSISTS Randolph - Abby Schmit, 13; Erin Engle, 12.

BLOCKS Randolph - Bailey Beal, 3; Jaiden Taylor, 2; Abby Schmit, 2; Emmalee Harter, 1.

ACE SERVES Randolph - Jaiden Taylor, 2; Keely Pinkelman, 2; Natalie Munter, 1; Gracie Eledge, 1.

Stay in the know!

To get news alerts on your cell phone, get the Cedar County News app in the ITunes store or  in the Google Play Store.

Northeast Nebraska News Company

102 W. Main
Hartington NE 68739
402-254-3997