By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer
Coming off a challenging loss to host Burlington High School Tuesday, Wilmot Union High School’s girls volleyball squad came to play Thursday against visiting non conference opponent Racine Lutheran, a team they lost to last year.
The Panthers, who entered Thursday’s contest at 9-8 overall, narrowly edged the Crusaders in the first set (25-23) before they produced a 25-18 second set victory, and capped it off with a thrilling 28-26 third set to sweep them.
Senior hitter Lauren Daniels, who led the Panthers with 11 kills and added six digs, credited Thursday’s win on her physical approach.
“This year, we are doing a lot more swing blocking than we did last year,” Daniels said. “We have really quick middle hitters this year.”
Adding to the list of hitters was junior Rebecca Bell, who amassed 8 kills and had a block.
In addition to a new physical approach, senior setter Devin Coleman states there is a new mindset in 2016, including enthusiasm.
“We were more focused on what we had to do entering this game,” said Coleman, who pitched in with a team-leading 24 assists and had 13 digs. “And it was about keeping up the energy.”
According to Panthers coach Kevin Raap, the team energy is contagious, pointing to the bench where players offered encouragement.
“We have got some great energy on the floor, top to bottom, girls who didn’t even get in the game are participating by bringing the energy. That is huge for us,” Raap said.
Another huge factor, Raap said, is a new front row that have challenged opponents recently.
One opponent, Burlington, faced the difficult task of defending freshman Karina Leber and senior Laney Videlka on Tuesday, when both picked up four kills and 1.5 blocks each.
“We have got an influx of lot taller players than we did last year. That presents a huge block against many teams,” Raap said. “Even Burlington had problems against our big blocks, so that helps us out tremendously.”
The hitters, Coleman said, accomplished their mission Thursday.
“We just kept saying, ‘Keep swinging away, keep being aggressive and that is what our front row did tonight,’” Coleman stated. “We haven’t been all that aggressive at the start of this season, but our front row really brought it.”
While the hitters brought the aggression, the Panthers’ defense held their own, courtesy of junior libero Sara Bedessem’s team-leading 15 digs.
Complimenting Bedessem along the back row was junior Sydney Helmuth with seven digs.
Wilmot (10-8) is three wins shy of tying the mark from 2015 when they finished 13-19.
Tuesday’s Results
Burlington def. Wilmot, 25-17, 25-21, 25-9.