Lady Cardinals net ‘solid win’ at home

RANDOLPH – A much needed win and some competitive matches can only help as the Randolph Lady-Cardinals volleyball team continues to press toward a strong, season finish.

The squad (2-12) played host to a triangular that saw them beat Walthill (25-15, 25-17) and drop a 2-0 (25-6, 25-14) decision to Wakefield.

“The girls played good volleyball and got a solid win,” Randolph head coach Lyndsee English said of her team. “We served well and had some productive play at the net from both Jacey and Katarina. We were able to get a couple girls in the game off the bench to get some varsity playing time. The team was excited to get their second win.”

Jacey Bartels (eight kills, seven digs), Katarina Greiner (six kills) and Ella Scott (10 digs) keyed the win.

In the Wakefield defeat, Bartels and Rylee Thelen each had three kills and Scott picked up nine digs.

“In the first set, the girls couldn’t serve receive well,” English said. “I think Wakefield had eight ace serves in that first set - we weren’t adjusting to them serving the short ball. In the second set, we finally showed some fight but it wasn’t enough in the end. We didn’t beat ourselves this game; we had few errors. Wakefield is a great team and they just played better volleyball.”

Randolph wrapped last week with a 3-0 (25-8, 25-11, 25-10) defeat at O’Neill St. Mary’s.

Bartels had six kills while Eva Bermel and Katarina Greiner both had two aces each.

“Jacey was playing aggressively and had some great swings on the outside,” English said. “We were able to get her the ball when she was in the back row where she had a few nice back row attacks as well. When you have someone that is playing well and has the hot hand, you keep getting them the ball. Jacey was dependable for the team and that’s what you like to see from your team captain.”

Eva Bermel said part of the team’s struggles versus Wakefield was an inability to finish plays, but the win came at a good time.

“It felt good and it really helped us push ourselves against Wakefield to really try for another win,” Bermel said. “We just have a lot of young kids on our varsity and they’re working hard, and they’re getting up there. They just need the experience.

“We’re all really close and bonded. Most of us are classmates and we have good relationships with each other.”

Randolph played Creighton Tuesday and then travels to Hartington-Newcastle.

“We might have a few more rough games,” Bermel said. “I think we could get some type of momentum to go into the tournaments. Sometimes we just need to pull it together. For the most part, we have the signs of we’re great, but we just can’t put it all together at once.

“Sometimes our passing is great and then our hitting is not so great or our passing is not so great and then our hitting is good. We got to be able to click at the same time.”