Defeating rivals! Tuesday, September 21, was a night that was long anticipated for the Irish varsity volleyball team as they triumphed over the Annandale Cardinals for the first time in three years. The Annandale victory was followed by a long trip up to Pierz on Thursday, September 23, for a conference battle in which the Irish came out on top. Concluding the week, the team totaled 65 kills, 105 digs, 14 blocks, and a serving percentage of 92 with 22 aces.
For the past few years, Annandale has been on the Irish volleyball team’s schedule, and each year the games grew more intense. Unfortunately, the Irish could never finish the match, just falling a few points short every game. However, this year the Irish crushed the Cardinals in three games.
Fired up, the Irish hit the court ready to play and excellent serving put Maple Lake ahead right away, winning game one 25-13. In game two, the Irish and the Cardinals battled at the net with a series of kills and blocks between the two teams. Fortunately, the Irish managed to stay in control throughout the game and came out victorious, 25-22. The intensity of these games carried over into game three where the Irish pounded it to the Cardinals, winning the match 25-10.
Highlights of the game included freshman Andrea Rachel shutting the Cardinals down at the net with 4 blocks. Putting points on the score board for the Irish were junior Lindsey Smith with 8 aces and sophomores Rachel Sawatzke and Sarah Latour, both with 4 aces. Finally, senior Chelsey Kotilinek put up 16 set assists which led to senior Jen Kempenich with 13 kills and sophomore Rachel Sawatzke with 7 kills.
Irish vs. Pierz
The Irish remain undefeated in the CMC conference after they out-played the Pierz Pioneers. The Irish came out hitting hard from the beginning to overpower the Pioneers in game one, 25-10. Passing and digging up almost everything in game two, the Irish stayed in control at the net and went on to a 25-19 victory. Putting all aspects of the game together, the Irish took the match in game three, 25-11.
“As a team, we expected a five-game battle with Pierz, but our great serving kept them from making plays, and gave us more opportunities at the net,” said senior Chelsey Kotilinek.
Leading the way at the net was senior Jen Kempenich, who took advantage of every over-passed ball by the Poineers in putting down 17 kills. Not far behind was junior Lindsey Smith with 8 kills and sophomore Rachel Sawatzke with 7 kills. Great serving came from Sawatzke, serving 12/12, and freshman Andrea Rachel serving 11/11. As a team the Irish served 97 percent, crushed the ball 38 times, and dug 61 hits from the Pioneers.
The Irish now stand with a 3-0 conference record.