BENTON — The third time was a charm for the Potosi volleyball team against Six Rivers West co-leader Benton.
Sophomore Abby Kaiser returned to the lineup last Thursday after missing the previous two matches with a knee injury to lead the Chieftains to a thrilling come-from-behind 20–25, 14–25, 25–21, 25–12, 15–13 upset of the host Zephyrs.
Kaiser slammed a team-high 17 kills and also posted 22 digs for victorious Potosi, which rallied from a 2–0 deficit to knock off Benton for the first time in three meetings this season.
Kaiser is still limited and sat out Saturday’s tournament at Madison Edgewood, but her play was a huge boost for the Chieftains on Thursday.
“Anytime you lose a starter it affects everything to a point; from there it is how the team respond,” said Potosi head coach Ric Walsh. “Abby brings different things to the team as everyone does. It’s always nice to have the full squad on the court.”
Senior Maddie Hawes added 12 kills, 21 digs and five aces for the winners. Senior setter Calie Gibson passed out 19 assists and served up five aces.
Potosi (11–10 overall) improved to 4–4 in league play, while Benton (15–5–1, 7–2 SRW) fell out of first place with the loss and now trails River Ridge (15–1–1, 7–1) by one half game.
“This was the third time we played them this year, and as everyone knows that they are very solid and well coached,” said Walsh. “So when you can come out with a win, it makes for one happy team.”
Potosi lost all four of its matches and finished seventh at the seven-team Madison Edgewood Invitational on Saturday.
The Chieftains return to action Thursday at home against River Ridge.
Potosi 3, Benton 2
(from Thursday, Oct. 2 @ Potosi)
Benton 25 25 21 12 13
Potosi 20 14 25 25 15
Potosi stat leaders
Kills: Abby Kaiser 17, Maddie Hawes 12. Blocks: Taylor Bloyer 2, Hawes 2, Sophie Langkamp 2. Aces: Gibson 5, Hawes 5. Assists: Calie Gibson 19, Taylor Bloyer 17. Digs: Kaiser 22, Hawes 21.
Madison Edgewood Invitational
(from Saturday, Oct. 3 @ Madison)
Championship: Platteville def. Madison Edgewood 25–19, 25–16.
Semifinals: Platteville def. Waunakee 25–14, 25–11; Edgewood def. Madison Memorial.
Quarterfinals: Edgewood def. Potosi 25–18, 25–23
Potosi pool play match scores
Madison Memorial def. Potosi 25–18, 25–16
Platteville def. Potosi 25–11, 25–19
Beaver Dam def. Potosi 25–23, 25–21
Potosi stat leaders
Kills: Maddie Hawes 32, Taylor Bloyer 20, Sophie Langkamp 13. Blocks: Bloyer 7, Langkamp 6, Brooke McKillip 5. Aces: Hawes 6, Calie Gibson 4. Assists: Bloyer 28, Gibson 23. Digs: Hawes 42, Bloyer 20, McKillip 20.
