By Dan Truttschel/Sports Correspondent
Even in the midst of a difficult season, there have been many times when the Wilmot volleyball team appeared to take a step forward despite losing.
Unfortunately for the Pan-thers, last week wasn’t one of those times, as they may have taken a step back.
Now the key is to rebound and move forward.
Little went right offensive-ly for the Panthers last week in a disappointing 11-25, 14-25, 22-25 Southern Lakes Conference loss at Elkhorn.
Wilmot was back in action Tuesday night against state powerhouse Westosha Cen-tral, ranked fourth in Division 1. Results were unavailable by press time.
The loss to Elkhorn, which began this week undefeated in conference play, was not one of the season’s highlights, Wilmot coach Kevin Rapp said.
“It came down to execu-tion,” he said. “I hate to speak cliché about it, but we didn’t execute on most everything.
“When a team is led in kills by a libero (Sawyer Wightman with four), which by rule cannot attack the ball, you know you have an issue.”
When push came to shove, the Panthers couldn’t come up with a point at critical points in the match, Rapp said. Wilmot had just 14 kills as a team and 17 errors in 70 attempts.
Wightman added 10 digs to go with her four kills, as she continued to provide steady plays from her libero position, Rapp said.
“She has a high desire to win,” Rapp said. “I think the only rival on our team to my disdain for losing would be Sawyer.”
Even with just two wins to this point, however, Rapp said his team is doing just that.
“The kids are all doing that fairly well,” he said. “I’m proud of the way they keep bouncing back.”
Other statistical leaders for the Panthers were Haylee Martin with three kills; Angela Nevoso with three kills and two aces; Lindsey Orre with seven assists, three aces and seven digs; and Sam Schloegl with seven digs.
Time to bounce back
Rapp said his team didn’t dwell long on the loss to the Elks – they knew it was time to move forward.
“I think we as a group for the most part recommitted to doing what it takes to not let that happen again,” he said.
After Tuesday’s match with Central, which also helped raise funds for breast cancer awareness, Wilmot will travel to the Janesville Craig Tournament this Saturday, Oct. 5.
The Panthers were second at that tournament last year, with its only loss to Craig.
“All those teams out west, I don’t much about them yet,” Rapp said. “But I do know that we are full capable of coming away with a couple wins if we go out there determined and play hard.”