MFL MarMac volleyball picks up first win
By Audrey Posten | Times-Register
The MFL MarMac volleyball team picked up its first win of the season Sept. 10, sweeping West Central 2-0 in a triangular at Maquoketa Valley.
The Bulldogs dominated the Blue Devils 25-8 in the first set, then took the second almost as easily, 25-10, behind 17 team kills and a .279 hitting efficiency. Avery Lamborn led the effort with six kills, followed by Lily Johnson with five. Maddie Keehner added two kills, as did Devon Meyer, who returned to the lineup after an injury.
“I eased her into the rotations, not wanting to push too hard,” said head coach Becky Johnson.
Addison Corlett collected all 14 assists.
Defensively, Lily Johnson racked up seven digs, and sister Lauryn six. Autumn Shaw finished the game with five and Kacie Picha three.
The Bulldogs made significant improvements in their serving, hitting 88 percent of attempts. Shaw was successful on 10 of 11 and accounted for four of MFL MarMac’s 10 aces. Corlett and Keagan Echard were each a perfect 7-7, and Keehner was 7-9 with three aces.
“It felt good getting our first win under our belt,” Johnson said. “As a team, everyone contributed, on and off the court. They all knew their job and executed it well.”
Unfortunately, the Bulldogs couldn’t keep the momentum going in a 2-0 loss to Maquoketa Valley the following game. The Wildcats won the first set 25-16 and the second 25-12, out-hitting MFL MarMac 23 kills to 10 on two fewer attempts. Maquoketa Valley also claimed the serving advantage, 91.8 percent to 86.2.
“We played much better in the first set than the second,” noted Johnson. “Our serving in the first set was 94 percent compared to 77 percent in the second set. We also could side out better in the first set compared to the second. We seem to be getting plenty of hitting attempts, but we just aren’t converting those to points and our hitting seems to be struggling when we are in transition. We have been discussing a lot in practice how to score and focusing on getting the first ball side-out.”
“Our opponents are doing a good job of taking care of the ball and are siding-out on us about 15 percent more than what our team is,” she continued. “Serving, serve/receive and getting that first ball side-out is a big focus of our practices this past week.”
The offense ran through Corlett with her 10 assists. Keehner led the team with three kills, followed by Lamborn, Meyer and Lily Johnson with two apiece. Lauryn Johnson anchored the back row defense with seven digs. Lily Johnson, Lamborn and Shaw all had four.
Shaw had another solid game from the service line, converting all but one of her seven attempts and netting two aces. Lily Johnson was a similar 6-7, and Echard was a perfect 4-4.
MFL MarMac wrapped up the week Sept. 14, in a tournament at Camanche. The team went 0-3, swept in straight sets by Davenport West, Camanche and Northeast.
The Bulldogs face West Central again this week, on Sept. 17, then head to Clayton Ridge Sept. 19. They’ll close out action Sept. 21, at the Waukon tournament.
“This team is improving,” said Johnson, “and if we can keep everyone healthy, I’m optimistic they are going to get some wins under their belt.”
