Lady Wildcats are off to a 2-2 start on the year

HARTINGTON — The Hartington- Newcastle volleyball team completed a frantic first week of the season which saw the Lady Wildcats go 2-2 with a loss in the opener to Crofton and a 2-1 performance in the Howells-Dodge Invitational this past weekend.

In the last game at Howells-Dodge, the Lady Wildcats lost for the first time in three matches as they had won two straight before falling to the Lady Jaguars, 25-8 and 27-25.

HNS held on to the bitter end to the hosts but eventually fell in the second set to lose the match.

“We started off the set struggling with confidence which led to being very inconsistent in our skills,” HNS coach Sarah Edwards said. “We regrouped between sets and came out fighting in the last set.”

McKenzie Bruning was the main attacking threat in the match and finished with six kills.

Vayda Lippert had a quality match, earning a line of two kills, one block, nine digs and seven set assists.

Defensively, Abi Rice registered eight digs, Hazel Hochstein had seven and Bruning had a couple of stuffs at the net.

“We wish we had one more set to show what we learned from our mistakes,” Edwards said. “I was very proud how we rallied together to show we were there to play in set two.”

In the second round, the Lady Wildcats used the momentum of the opening round win to propel them past the other Lady Wildcats, Winside defeating them 25-12 and 25-20.

“We have a young team in age and previous playing time,” Edwards said. “Only one player is playing in the same position as she did in varsity game last year, Abi Rice at libero.

“We have new setters learning how to lead the team as well freshman middle and freshman right side. A returning senior, McKenzie Bruning has moved to outside hitter and is playing six rotations, she has been leading the team in mental toughness as well as skill.”

With that in mind, hard work is sending this team on its way this season.

In the opening round of the tournament, the Lady Wildcats won their first game of the tournament and of the season defeating Randolph in straight sets, 25-11 and 25-9.

“It was a great start to the day for us,”said Edwards. Consistent serve reception early allowed us to set up a strong offense allowing our young team to settle into getting swings.”

In the season opener back on Aug. 29, Hartington-Newcastle made the trip west on Highway 12 to take on Crofton.

The Lady Wildcats improved every set but fell to the Lady Warriors in straight sets, 25-12, 25-15 and 25-20.

Maddie Steffen was the most consistent offensive threat and ended the match with five kills and added three ace serves in the match.

Lippert recorded seven digs and also tipped up five set assists. Hochstein had four assists.

Rice successfully passed 22 balls to teammates in the match, Rice moved along a dozen.

HNS was set to play in a triangular on Sept. 3 with Walthill and Homer in Walthill.

The Lady Wildcats will head to Wynot for the Lady Blue Devil’s tournament on Sept. 5 then head to Randolph to take on the Lady Cardinals on Sept. 10.

Winnebago comes to Hartington on Sept. 12.

Howells-Dodge def HNS 25-8, 27-25. k=Kills, a=Ace Serves, b=Blocks, d=Digs, s=Sets, r=Quality Passes/Serve Receiving

HNS (2-2): Abi Rice 8d, 10r; Hazel Hochstein 7d, 2s; Ella Eickhoff 1k; Maddie Steffen 1k, 3d; Kloe Fischer 1d; Vayda Lippert 2k, 1b; 9d, 7s, 4r; Cohen Paden 1k, 3d; McKenzie Bruning 6k, 1a, 2b, 11d, 11r; Alejandra Reyes 2d, 1s, 1r; Karissa Bruning 1a, 2d, 1r. HHS def. Winside 25-12, 25-20. HNS def. Randolph 25-11, 25-9. 25-12, 25-20. Crofton def. HNS 25-12, 25-15, 25-20. HNS Rice 4d, 22r; Hochstein 3d, 4s; Eickhoff 2k, 2d; Steffen 5k, 3a, 3d, 12r; Fischer 1d; Lippert 2k, 1a, 7d, 5s, 1r; Lammers 1d; Paden 1d, 1s, 3r; M. Bruning 3k, 6d, 2s, 6r; Reyes 1k, 5d, 5r; K. Bruning 4d, 1s, 3r.