The Union Knights recovered from a slow start to defeat the Jesup J-Hawks in NICL(east) Conference Volleyball action in Jesup, on Oct. 6.
The Knights would open the match in game 1 sluggishly, as Union would make 8 serving errors and 6 hitting errors in the opening game. Jesup would ride the hitting of Rae Debner to surprise the Knights with a 25-18 win. In game 2, Union would rebound in game 2, behind the setting and serving of Sophomore Sara Jesse, and the hitting of Senior Ashley Hager. Jesse would run off 4 straight points to expand Union's lead to 12-5 early in the game. Hager would add 6 kills to lead Union's offense. Union would win by the final score of 25-13. Game 3 would again see Union jump out to an early lead. Junior Hayle Davison would begin a nice serving run with an ace serve. Davison would run off 4 straight points to open a 10 Union lead. Case Barney would really open up the game for Union, by scoring 7 straight service points, as Union would expand its lead to 22-8. In game 4, the Knights would continue to wear down the J-Hawks, behind the serving of Tori Zempel, and the offense of Ashley Hager and Lauren Bauer. With Union leading 13-10, Caey Barney would run off 4 straight points to open up a 17-10 lead. Zempel would then run off 5 straight service points to expand Union's lead to 23-11.
An Erica Barz kill would send Jesup home for the weekend. "It was a tough night for us at the beginning of the match. Jesup was fired up to go, and we were making way too many unforced errors. We were reacting very slow, and Jesup was taking it to us aggressively. After the first game, our focus got much better. We hit .402 for the night, which is very good. Our serving continued to be off most of the night. Hayle Davison came in during our 3rd game, and scored 4 straight points to really give us a lift. We did not play as well as we are capable of, but you have to give Jesup credit for being fired up and ready to go. Sara Jesse made a couple of great hustle plays that seemed to get the other girls focused, and into the match. Union now has to wait for next Tuesday, Oct. 13, when #3 rated in class 2A, Dike-New Hartford, comes to La Porte City for Parents Night. The varsity match will get going at roughly 7:30pm. Dike-New Hartford leads the conference
race with a 6-0 record, while Union is right behind at at 5-1.
Union improves to 5-1 in conference and 24-7 overall
Game 1: 18-25
Game 2: 25-13
Game 3: 25-10
Game 4: 25-11
Key Stats:
Serving Tori Zempel17/20 4 ace serves13 points
Casey Barney13/17 3 ace serves 10 points
Team: 69/88= 78%
Serve Receive Passing:
Tori Zempel 11/14
Megan Clark 8/12
Assists:
Sara Jesse 38 assists
Lauren Bauer 2 assists
Jayme Ollendieck 1 assist
Kills:
Ashley Hager 21 kills .643 hitting efficiency
Casey Barney 10 kills
Lauren Bauer 9 kills
Megan Clark6 kills
Mary Wrage 6 kills
Team: .402 hitting efficiency
Digs:
Tori Zempel 10 digs
Casey Barney 10 digs