This story is sponsored by: Marshfield Chips
By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
MARSHFIELD – The Marshfield volleyball team was down in both the first and second sets against stingy Stevens Point squad, but each time the Tigers were able to respond.
Marshfield used a 10-1 run in the first set to pull ahead and came back from six points down to win the second on its way to a 3-0 sweep of the Panthers on Thursday night at Marshfield High School.
The Tigers won 25-17, 25-23, 25-12, to improve to 19-1 overall and 2-0 in the Wisconsin Valley Conference.
“This was a huge win for us,” first-year Marshfield coach Josh Knecht said. “Early on, I thought SPASH did a great job of keeping us in out of system attacks with outstanding deep serving on us.
“Our block was huge tonight. We ended up with 12 total block kills along with many other attacks we were able to slow down or keep on their side. I thought this was a big advantage for our team tonight that helped propel us to this win.”
Two service aces from Addi Peskie put SPASH (17-2, 2-1 WVC) on top 9-5 in the opening set before the Tigers started to make their move.
After taking an 11-10 lead on a block kill by Lauren Homolka, the Tigers fell behind again after another Stevens Point ace.
The Tigers then proceeded to dominate, scoring 10 of the next 11 points, which included five kills from Homolka and aces by Kailyn Kurth and Michaelle Potts, to go in front 21-13.
A tip kill by Kurth ended the first set as Marshfield won 25-17.
SPASH started strong in the second set as well, taking a 6-2 lead. Two kills by Karli Torhorst and three Marshfield errors gave the Panthers a 15-9 lead.
Marshfield creeped closer and finally went ahead at 20-19 on another kill by Homolka.
While the Panthers stayed within striking distance, Marshfield did enough to finish off the set. A combo-block from Homolka and Hope Kelnhofer helped finish off the 25-23 win.
The Tigers took it to Stevens Point in the third set. Sophia Olson had a kill to put the Tigers up 6-5 and after a few points back and forth, Marshfield ripped off five points in a row, three on Zaida Kolbeck aces, to take control.
Kills from Della Smith and Olson, and an ace by Homolka upped the lead to 22-9 before the Tigers ended it at 25-12 on a block kill by Olson.
“I was really proud of the girls tonight,” Knecht said. “It was a great atmosphere and the level of play between both teams in Games 1 and 2 was at a really high level. Numerous times there were rallies that went back and forth multiple times showcasing very good athletes on both sides of the net.”
Homolka finished with 11 kills and seven blocks, Smith had six kills, four blocks and 12 digs, and Alyssa Foemmel and Devyn LeMoine each had five kills in the victory for the Tigers.
Kurth had 27 assists and 11 digs, and Kolbeck had a team-best 16 digs for Marshfield.
The first Wisconsin Valley Conference Meet of the season will be held Saturday at Wausau West with nine matches. Marshfield will play Wisconsin Rapids, Wausau West and D.C. Everest, while SPASH will take on Merrill and D.C. Everest.