NORFOLK — Certain dates on the calendar become a measuring stick.
For Elgin Public-Pope John, September 14, was such a date – a volleyball triangular against two formidable foes – Hartington Cedar Catholic and Norfolk Catholic.
Against the Lady Trojans, EPPJ earned a hard-fought victory 25-17 and 25-18.
The first set was a back-and-forth affair as EPPJ led 15 to 12 before putting together a run of six points. Leading the way from the service line was senior Braelyn Martinsen. She strung together three ace serves in a row to boost their lead to eight points.
Kills by Mady Kurpgeweit and Jael Lammers and an ace serve from Gentry Zwingman closed out the set.
Then, in Set #2, EPPJ never trailed as HCC struggled against all facets of the Wolfpack’s attack.
In one stretch, EPPJ put together an eight-to-two run. It featured back-to-back ace serves from Brooke Kinney and kills from Kurpgeweit, Lammers and Martinsen.
The teams traded points which included a kill from sophomore Lillian Moser. Senior Elizabeth Moser reached a career milestone – 1,000 set assists – before another kill from Lammers closed out the match.
“We had a good talk in the lockerroom (before the match) about playing for each other,” Coach Jordynn Luettel said. “We just need to execute and take care of business.”
….see more at this week’s Elgin Review.
