By Jared Schmeltzer
Reporter
On Thursday night the Merrill volleyball team traveled to Wisconsin Rapids for a conference match against Lincoln High School. Merrill got off to a hot start beating Rapids in the first two sets, however they would drop the third set, but bounced back for the fourth set win.
Coach Kris Krug commented on her teams hot start. “Tonight I thought we played well in the first two sets. Rapids had given us a handful free balls where we could practice running plays. We were serving aggressively and playing well defensively. In the third set we started hesitating and became flat footed.”
Merrill dominated the first two sets, winning the first by a score of 25-15 and the second by a score of 25-16. Merrill’s third set was not pretty as they struggled with their serves, missing five in the set, which would come back to haunt them as they dropped the set 22-25. Merrill was able to bounce back in the fourth set and get the win, as they won the set by a score of 25-22.
“Overall, tonight Rapids played scrappy and dug up a lot of balls,” adds coach Krug. “We need to continue working on keeping our level of intensity high, which didn’t happen tonight. However, we have a much needed break coming up. These girls have been together 34 of the last 40 days. We will be rejuvenated and ready to take on the second round of conference play next week!”
Megan Schroder led the Merrill attack, coming up with 14 kills on the game. Rylee Mrachek would finish the game with 10 kills, Kaylee Bowe would come up with eight and Elizabeth Iribarren and Reese Mrachek would each come away with seven.
Ellie Hartson was the only Merrill player to serve 100% on the game. Hartson would also finish the game with four aces. Other noteable servers include Rachel Travis who served 94% and had two aces. Kaylee Bowe would serve 93% and finish the game with two aces.
Kelsie Belfiori did a nice job on the defensive side of things, leading Merrill with 24 digs in the game. Rachel Travis had nine digs and Eve Akey would finish with eight.
With this win Merrill is now 5-1 in conference play and will look to improve on that, as they host Marshfield on Thursday night.