BOSCOBEL - It was a match that started with promise as the Lady Bulldogs volleyball team hosted the visiting Southwestern Wildcats on Thursday, Sept. 29.
Well-matched competitors, the Bulldogs came out fierce in the first set. Southwestern made them fight for every point. Once the Bulldogs scored several points in a row, the energy appeared to propel them forward to the set, 25-19.
The cohesion faltered in the second set and the Bulldogs were unable to bring it back as the Wildcats won the following four sets – 25-15, 25-12, and 25-11 – to take the match, 3-1.
“We played a really strong game and a half, and then the momentum switched and we just couldn’t seem to make it back,” said Coach Jeff Ostheimer. The coach noted that the psychology of competition can be a struggle for the team when they fall behind.
Stat leaders were:
Kills – MacKenzie Fischer, 8; Danielle Ernst, 5; Emily Johnson, 4; and Casey Ostheimer, 3
Attacks – MacKenzie Fischer, 20; Emily Johnson, 20; Danielle Ernst, 18; and Ariel Rooney, 12
Aces – Katelyn Weigel, 1; Ariel Rooney. 1; and Lily Scallon, 1
Blocks – Danielle Ernst, 2
Digs – Emily Johnson, 7; Lily Scallon, 5; Danielle Ernst, 4; and Arielle Rooney, 4.
Assist – Casey Ostheimer, 9; Lily Scallon, 4, Alexxis Riley, 2
Wisconsin Heights Tournament
The Lady Bulldogs were on the road Saturday for the non-conference varsity invitational hosted by Wisconsin Heights with Riverdale, Sauk Prairie and Southwestern in attendance.
The Lady Bulldogs walked away with more wins that they have achieved in the past at the tournament, beginning with a 25-21 and 26-24 match win over Riverdale in the first round of the day.
The coach noted that Riverdale is struggling somewhat this year, giving Boscobel some advantage. Yet, the Bulldogs made more mistakes than they should have, thus winning by a smaller margin than they were capable of.
Round one stat leaders:
Kills – Ernst, 6
Assists – Ostheimer, 8
Digs – Ernst, Haley Bray, Scallon, 4 each
The Lady Bulldogs faced Sauk Prairie in round two, where they won the match, 25-19 and 25-23.
“We played a lot better in this round,” said the coach.
He noted that starter Ariel Rooney was missing from the round, sitting out with an injured ankle,
Round two stat leaders:
Kills – Ernst, 6; Fischer, 4
Assists – Ostheimer and Scallon, 6 each
Blocks – Ernst, 2
Digs – Johnson, 6
Round three was the toughest match of the tournament for the Bulldogs, who lost 25-8 and 25-8.
“This was the best serving team we’ve faced all year,” said Coach Ostheimer.
Round three stat leaders:
Kills – Ernst, 1
Assists – Scallon, 2
Digs – Bray, 1
Following the defeat, the Lady Bulldogs came out flat in the fourth round after a long sit, this time playing the Wisconsin Heights Varsity Reserve. Losing the first set 13-25, the Lady Bulldogs regrouped to win the second set 25-9, followed by a 15-8 win to take the match.
Round four stat leaders:
Kills – Ernst, 8; Johnson, 6
Assists – Ostheimer, 9; Scallon, 7
Digs – Rooney, 5
Serving – Ostheimer, 11 points on 15 serves
The Bulldogs faced Southwestern in their final match of the day, losing 21-25 and 18-25.
Round five stat leaders:
Aces – Johnson, 2
Kills – Ernst and Ostheimer, 3 each
Assists – Scallon, 4
Digs – Ostheimer, 7
Blocks – Ernst, 3
“Overall, other than one game against Wisconsin Heights Varsity Reserve, the girls played some pretty good volleyball,” said Coach Ostheimer. “They are still making too many unforced mistakes, but they are coming together.”
Vs. Iowa-Grant
Tuesday night saw the girls again travelling, this time to face conference rival Iowa-Grant.
The Bulldogs took the loss, though they were able to push the match to four sets.
Boscobel came out strong in the first set, but lost focus half way through. Iowa-Grant was able to take advantage to push ahead, leaving the Bulldogs with a 12-25 loss.
The momentum of their first set win showed as the Panthers came out strong in set. The Lady Bulldogs rallied and fought back to a 20-25 loss. With the fight still strong, the two headed into a back-and forth match. With a push, Boscobel was able to earn the set, 27-25.
Sadly, the girls came out flat in the fourth set, with six errors in the first seven serves. Iowa-Grant took full advantage, leaving the Bulldogs with a final loss, 10-25, for a 3-1 match win for the Panthers.
“Emily Johnson had a really good night serving,” noted Coach Ostheimer. “Her serving got us back in on game two and really helped us out in game three.”
Stat leaders were:
Aces – Johnson, 4
Kills – Ernst, 8; Johnson, 7
Assists – Scallon, 13
Digs – Johnson, 12; Bray, 7
Blocks – Ernst, 2
Looking ahead
The Lady Bulldogs continue to travel this week. They head to Darlington Thursday night, Oct. 6, and then head to Mineral Point on Tuesday, Oct. 11.
