Underwood shows plenty of firepower vs. the Saintes...
Posted: 09/07/2005 - by
Underwood shows plenty of firepower
The Underwood volleyball team may have a new head coach and some new players, but the Eagles still have plenty of firepower.
Underwood, which returns just three players with an ample amount of varsity time after back-to-back state tournament appearances, showed they were a team to be reckoned with as they picked up a 20-25, 25-21, 25-20, 25-17 prep victory over St. Albert Tuesday night.
"We probably aren't as talented as we've been in the past, but we have some mental toughness," Underwood coach Heath Telleen. "That is going to be very important for us."
The Eagles' mental toughness came into play early as St. Albert jumped ahead of the match by taking the first game.
The Saintes win gave them the advantage in the match as well as the momentum.
"We had a lot of confidence in that first game," St. Albert coach Angie Lantz said. "It was just good team ball ... that is what we're looking for."
While the Saintes had pulled out the first victory, the Eagles used it as a learning experience, which paid dividends later.
"I told them after the first game, 'the last thing we need to do is panic,'" Telleen said. "I thought they did a good job with that."
The Eagles responded by pulling away in games two and three, both of which were close until the Eagles pulled away down the stretch.
"We knew we had to be patient," Telleen said.
Many of the Eagles players were seeing the floor for the first time in a varsity game, including freshman setter Devon Jensen, who had a strong debut. Veteran players Erinn Brue and Heather Minssen, the team's only returning starter, stepped up with nine and eight kills respectively.
"Heather did a great job on the floor," Telleen said, adding the leadership of Minssen, Brue and Nikki Rowe was essential for the young team. "They knew what to expect out there."
With Minssen serving in game four, Underwood went on a 9-0 run to break a 6-6 tie and take control of the match for good.
"You could see the progress throughout the match," Telleen said.
It was a tough opening-match loss for the Saintes, who played well except for the stretch in game four.
The Saintes were led with seven kills by Krista Kennebeck and Aileen Mooney. Megan Crowley added 11 digs, while Gina Assmann had eight.
"Our execution of things in the fourth game was not there," Lantz said. "It's the first match of the year and that is to be expected ... we have some things to work out."
Underwood 20 25 25 25
St. Albert 25 21 20 17
Underwood: Serving: Erinn Brue 18-19 (1 ace), Heather Minssen (17-17 (2), Nikki Rowe 16-16 (1), Carly Lintner 14-18 (4). Hitting: Brue 33-36 (9), Minssen 25-29 (8).
St. Albert: Kills: Sarah Moran 2, Ali Gorman 2, Krista Kennebeck 7, Aileen Mooney 7, Jordan McBride 5, Kelsey Corzine 1. Digs: Megan Crowley 11, Gina Assmann 8, Krista Kennebeck 3, Moran 2, Mooney 2, Gorman 2, Caitlin Cool 7, Natalie Andrews 7, Corzine 1. Blocks: Mooney 3, Kelsey Knutson 2.
Records: Underwood (1-0), St. Albert (0-1).
JEFF DELUCA, Nonpareil Staff Writer 09/07/2005
The Underwood volleyball team may have a new head coach and some new players, but the Eagles still have plenty of firepower.Underwood, which returns just three players with an ample amount of varsity time after back-to-back state tournament appearances, showed they were a team to be reckoned with as they picked up a 20-25, 25-21, 25-20, 25-17 prep victory over St. Albert Tuesday night.
"We probably aren't as talented as we've been in the past, but we have some mental toughness," Underwood coach Heath Telleen. "That is going to be very important for us."
The Eagles' mental toughness came into play early as St. Albert jumped ahead of the match by taking the first game.
The Saintes win gave them the advantage in the match as well as the momentum.
"We had a lot of confidence in that first game," St. Albert coach Angie Lantz said. "It was just good team ball ... that is what we're looking for."
While the Saintes had pulled out the first victory, the Eagles used it as a learning experience, which paid dividends later.
"I told them after the first game, 'the last thing we need to do is panic,'" Telleen said. "I thought they did a good job with that."
The Eagles responded by pulling away in games two and three, both of which were close until the Eagles pulled away down the stretch.
"We knew we had to be patient," Telleen said.
Many of the Eagles players were seeing the floor for the first time in a varsity game, including freshman setter Devon Jensen, who had a strong debut. Veteran players Erinn Brue and Heather Minssen, the team's only returning starter, stepped up with nine and eight kills respectively.
"Heather did a great job on the floor," Telleen said, adding the leadership of Minssen, Brue and Nikki Rowe was essential for the young team. "They knew what to expect out there."
With Minssen serving in game four, Underwood went on a 9-0 run to break a 6-6 tie and take control of the match for good.
"You could see the progress throughout the match," Telleen said.
It was a tough opening-match loss for the Saintes, who played well except for the stretch in game four.
The Saintes were led with seven kills by Krista Kennebeck and Aileen Mooney. Megan Crowley added 11 digs, while Gina Assmann had eight.
"Our execution of things in the fourth game was not there," Lantz said. "It's the first match of the year and that is to be expected ... we have some things to work out."
Underwood 20 25 25 25
St. Albert 25 21 20 17
Underwood: Serving: Erinn Brue 18-19 (1 ace), Heather Minssen (17-17 (2), Nikki Rowe 16-16 (1), Carly Lintner 14-18 (4). Hitting: Brue 33-36 (9), Minssen 25-29 (8).
St. Albert: Kills: Sarah Moran 2, Ali Gorman 2, Krista Kennebeck 7, Aileen Mooney 7, Jordan McBride 5, Kelsey Corzine 1. Digs: Megan Crowley 11, Gina Assmann 8, Krista Kennebeck 3, Moran 2, Mooney 2, Gorman 2, Caitlin Cool 7, Natalie Andrews 7, Corzine 1. Blocks: Mooney 3, Kelsey Knutson 2.
Records: Underwood (1-0), St. Albert (0-1).
JEFF DELUCA, Nonpareil Staff Writer 09/07/2005
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