The Hatchet volleyball team hardly had time to enjoy pre-Homcoming festivities with its chock-full schedule.
But when Homecoming did arrive, the girls could revel in the reality of a 5-0 week that boosted them to 8-0 in the GNC as well as 24-2 overall.
Fourth-ranked Tomahawk (D2) dropped its first GNC set in two years in a four-game win over Mosinee (5-3, 15-8) last Tuesday, then followed with a sweep in Rhinelander (1-7, 11-16).
The girls posted a 9-1 record in Saturday’s Hatchet Quad, handling Osceola (25-21, 25-19, 25-18), Auburndale (25-21, 25-22, 22-25, 25-16) and Oconto Falls (25-9, 25-6, 26-17).
“We were able to wrap up the week of homecoming victorious but we need to stay focused mentally even though there is a lot going on off the court,” THS coach Amanda Kriese said. “Auburndale (9th in D3) is the kind of competition we need to see at this time of the year. We did well serving and I thought our attack was balanced for most of the match. In the third game, they took advantage of our mistakes to force a fourth game.
“We did a good job of blocking in (the Osceola) match but our passing struggled at times. The girls played to their ability in the (Oconto) match. It was also nice to get everyone into the game, especially at our home court.”
Offerings came from: Anna Nyberg (52 kills, 5 aces, 7 blocks, 28 digs); Becca Doughty (8 k, 5 ac, 128 assists, 4 bl, 18 d); Hanna Meyer (34 k, 3 ac, 5 bl, 23 d); Emily Schneider (22 k, 6 ac, 13 bl, 3 as, 4 d); Hannah Feest (9 ac, 3 as, 49 d); Colynn Behling (16 k, 7 bl); Lexi Graeber (2 ac, 11 d); Lauren Bembinster (2 ac, 5 d).
Mastering Mosinee
Mosinee pulled out a 29-27 opener, then THS rallied for 25-16, 25-20, 25-15 set wins.
“We played very flat tonight,” Kriese said. “We have to do a better job of coming out strong and making scoring runs to give us some momentum. We will probably see them again, as they are in our regional.
Powering THS were: Nyberg (23 kills, 6 aces, 20 digs); Doughty (2 ac, 52 assists, 4 bl, 11 d); Meyer (15 k, 5 bl, 15 d); Schneider (6 k, 4 bl, 3 d); Feest (19 d); Behling (6 k, 3 bl, 3 d).
Wine from the Rhine
Tomahawk trumped the Hodags 25-19, 25-21, 25-21.
“We had another up and down night,” Kriese said. “Rhinelander played well and we made too many mental mistakes. We played well enough to win, but the girls know that we need to pick up the intensity especially as we start preparing for post season play.”
Provisions were given by: Nyberg (21 kills, 11digs); Doughty (2 ac, 37 assists, 4 d); Meyer (10 k, 7 d); Schneider (6 k, 2 bl); Feest (2 ac, 11 d); Graeber (6 d); Lee (3 k, 2 d).