Wausa girls earn a Lewis and Clark Conference split
Alan Dale
Wausa Gazette
PONCA — The Wausa Lady Vikings went 1-1 in the Lewis and Clark Conference tournament falling out of the tourney early.
The Lady Vikings fell 2-0 (25-7, 25-21) to eventual champions Ponca before wrapping things up with a 2-1 (23-25, 25-16, 25-17) win over Tri-County Northeast.
“Playing well against Ponca in the second set of that match makes me feel pretty good,” Conn said. “We should have been 2-0 (against Tri-County) but we let them sneak back in at the end and did not finish. In sets two and three we led both from start to finish and sent out a statement because we play them in the first round of the SubDistrict Tournament.
Conn said he was pleased with the way the team blocked and with its offense.
Alexa Cunningham and Hunter West finished with 10 and nine kills respectively in the win over Tri-County.
The Lady Vikings opened up SubDistricts Monday against Tri County Northeast in hopes of winning that contest to advance to Tuesday’s final, likely against top seed Humphrey Lindsey-Holy Family, to keep their D-2 state tournament hopes alive.
“We came away with a lot of positives from the conference tournament with our blocking and being able to come back and make a great run in the second set tied at 22 and then losing,” Conn said. “Ponca started 6’0” all the way across the front row in two rotations and we had not seen that all year but found a way to beat those blocks. The only negative was that we can’t let a team sneak back into the match and win at the end when we played so well.”
Senior Morgan Kleinschmit is hoping that the season can continue, and the Lady Vikings can maintain the good mojo that has uplifted the squad this campaign.
“The conference tournament we did really well in and in Ponca we just couldn’t get over their block,” she said. “We couldn’t attack because they were getting to every single thing we hit. After that first set, we had the mentality we had to get over it. We had to get those spots where they weren’t covering well and find a way to get over those blocks. Then, we actually competed with them.
“I am very excited what has happened this year for the seniors and the team this year.”
Kleinschmit has been a lightning rod of positive energy for the Wausa girls this season.
Morgan has been a great leader for us, and we just have to have her on the court at all times,” Conn said. “She has become a real field General and is the solid foundation we need. She is a solid person of character and keeps our team in perspective.”
Kleinschmit obviously hoped for a strong finish to the campaign, but regardless this season has been one that has turned the dial toward good feelings for a team that had to find a way to embrace each other as individuals.
“The thing that pulls people apart is how well they get along: They can take the simplest stuff and turn it into a reason why they don’t want to be here,” Kleinschmit said. “Our team came together and can get through anything. This season has gone really well for us and we work hard for everything we do. I am proud that I have been able to be working under the coaches. They taught me a lot about volleyball and life.”
Wausa 7 21
Ponca 25 25
Kills Wausa - Morgan Kleinschmit, 4; Hunter West, 3; Charlie Price, 3; Reghan Bloomquist, 2; Alexa Cunningham, 2.
BLOCKs Wausa - Alexa Cunningham, 3; Morgan Kleinschmit, 3; Reghan Bloomquist, 1.
SET ASSISTS Wausa - Clara Schindler, 14.
DIGS Wausa - Morgan Kleinschmit, 7; Abby Kaiser, 3; Clara Schindler, 3; Hunter West, 2; Abrielle Nelson, 1; Leah Bloomquist, 1.
Wausa 23 25 25
Tri County NE 25 16 17
Kills Wausa - Alexa Cunningham, 10; Hunter West, 9; Charlie Price, 6; Ali Lundberg, 3; Morgan Kleinschmit, 3.
ACE SERVES Wausa - Leah Bloomquist, 2; Hunter West, 1; Abrielle Nelson, 1; Clara Schindler, 1.
BLOCKs Wausa - Alexa Cunningham, 4; Clara Schindler, 1; Morgan Kleinschmit, 1; Ali Lundberg, 1.
SET ASSISTS Wausa - Clara Schindler, 30; Ali Lundberg, 1.
DIGS Wausa - Morgan Kleinschmit, 15; Abby Kaiser, 7; Abrielle Nelson, 7; Clara Schindler, 5; Leah Bloomquist, 3; Hunter West, 2; Ali Lundberg, 2; Charlie Price, 2.
Wynot 25 25 25
Wausa 13 6 21
KILLS Wausa - Charlie Price, 4; Morgan Kleinschmit, 4; Hunter West, 3; Reghan Bloomquist, 2; Alexa Cunningham, 1.
ACE SERVES Wausa - Hunter West, 2.
BLOCKS Wausa - Alexa Cunningham, 7; Morgan Kleinschmit, 3; Reghan Bloomquist, 2; Hunter West, 2.
Set assists Wausa - Clara Schindler, 14.
DIGS Wausa - Hunter West, 6; Abby Kaiser, 2; Clara Schindler, 2; Jaide Kaiser, 2; Brooke Kumm, 1; Morgan Kleinschmit, 1; Charlie Price, 1; Leah Bloomquist, 1.
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