Eagles start volleyball season perfect

ST. JOHN - The first game of the season for St. John-Endicott/LaCrosse was Tuesday, Sept. 5, a non-conference bout against the Odessa Tigers. The game was played in St. John.

SJEL won the game against the Tigers in three straight sets, but they did not come easy.

The first set saw an extended set, with the Eagles winning 33-31.

The next two sets were close as well, but the Eagles prevailed, 25-18, and 25-20.

Last year, the Eagles and Tigers played, with the Eagles winning in four sets. This is two straight years now that SJEL has defeated Odessa in volleyball.

On the day, Senior Kaitlyn Hough led the way with eight kills and two blocks on the offensive end. Emery Molina and Kenzie Stanley also had three service aces each in the game for the Eagles. Molina also added six kills.

Setter Julia Guske had 22 assists on the day, and Cami Larsen added 22 digs.

The next game of the season for the Eagles was the very next day, Wednesday, Sept. 6, against the Pomeroy Pirates, the first conference match up for the Eagles.

St. John-Endicott (2-0) out matched the Pirates (0-2) from start to finish. Defense and productive offensive attacks were key in the Eagles victory Wednesday.

"I think it was an improvement after last night. Last night we started slow, got the first game jitters out," said SJEL head coach Jenn Johnson.

SJEL took the early 14-4 lead in the first set, then stretched it to 18-7 before the Pirates called a timeout.

After a brief run from the Pirates, the Eagles buckled down, and took the first set 25-13.

The second set was much of the same. The Eagles jumped to the 11-5 lead before the Pirates called their first timeout of the second set.

After the timeout, the Eagles went on a run, and pushed the set score to 17-9, before scoring seven straight points after another Pirate timeout. The Eagles would win the second set 25-11.

The third set had St. John-Endicott up 8-1 early, before a huge serving run from Hough to push an 18-6 lead, before exploding for seven straight points, winning the set 25-6 and earning the sweep over the Pirates.

"Just getting used to what their strengths and weaknesses are," said Johnson.

In the game, Hough had three aces to lead the team. Molina led the team with eight kills, and Larsen had 11 kills in the game for SJEL.

Ellie Pierson had five blocks to lead the Eagles, while setter Guske had 22 assists in the game.

"It's been a big week of volleyball," Johnson said.

The next game for the Eagles is a conference match up against the Colton Wildcats. That game will be played in St. John Thursday, Sept. 14 at 7 p.m.