NEW GLARUS - The rivalry between New Glarus and Belleville on the volleyball court has been a little one-sided the last several years.
Belleville continued its dominance of the Glarner Knights rolling to a three game sweep 25-17, 25-11, 25-20 Thursday night.
"We were playing them like they were a much better team," New Glarus coach Casey Boatman said. "I wish we would have gone into it thinking they were just another team and not Belleville. They have had a hold on us the last few years."
Belleville (3-2 Capitol South) jumped out to a 12-7 lead in the first game on some serving that propelled them to the early lead. The Wildcats had four aces in the first game. The Knights (1-3) were plagued by some service receive miscues. The Knights on two occasions had players run into each other trying to force a sideout.
"I thought we played well," Belleville coach Jessie Backes said. "They did what they are supposed to do. They did what I wanted."
Boatman saw some of the miscues mount in a shaky start.
"I think the thing that bothered us and kind of got in our heads was we were playing Belleville," Boatman said. "We started thinking that they were much better than we were."
Belleville junior Hailey Hehn, who had six kills, powered a spike in the second game to help the Wildcats take a 6-1 lead. Senior teammate Darien Woods delivered an ace to help the Wildcats extend their lead to 12-4. Overall, Belleville senior Alex Walters had three aces to lead the Wildcats and Woods finished with 10 assists.
"We have been working on our tipping," Backes said. "I thought that helped us tonight. I told them to stay aggressive, keep at it and that is what they did."
The Wildcats stormed out to an 8-2 lead in the final game with some powerful hitting by Hehn and Walters. The Knights were able to rally from a 19-10 deficit and cut the Wildcats' lead to 23-20. New Glarus junior Taylor Johnson went on a run late from the service line to pull the Knights within four points and New Glarus junior Maeci Rosslein came through with a kill to make it three. However, that is as close as the Knights would get. The Knights were called for an illegal hit and two players ran into each other trying to return a serve to end the game.
"They (Belleville) don't make mistakes," Boatman said. "They don't give you any freebies. You have to play hard. For us, we have to play good. If we give them any freebies they will make us pay for them."
New Glarus senior Jenna Romich had six kills and four blocks. Junior Alaina Legler racked up 14 assists and Johnson had seven digs and three aces for the Knights.
New Glarus now prepares to play in the Middleton Invite Saturday and then will host Wisconsin Heights Sept. 20.
"It doesn't get any easier," Boatman said. "We have to know what we can do and try to get better."
Belleville continued its dominance of the Glarner Knights rolling to a three game sweep 25-17, 25-11, 25-20 Thursday night.
"We were playing them like they were a much better team," New Glarus coach Casey Boatman said. "I wish we would have gone into it thinking they were just another team and not Belleville. They have had a hold on us the last few years."
Belleville (3-2 Capitol South) jumped out to a 12-7 lead in the first game on some serving that propelled them to the early lead. The Wildcats had four aces in the first game. The Knights (1-3) were plagued by some service receive miscues. The Knights on two occasions had players run into each other trying to force a sideout.
"I thought we played well," Belleville coach Jessie Backes said. "They did what they are supposed to do. They did what I wanted."
Boatman saw some of the miscues mount in a shaky start.
"I think the thing that bothered us and kind of got in our heads was we were playing Belleville," Boatman said. "We started thinking that they were much better than we were."
Belleville junior Hailey Hehn, who had six kills, powered a spike in the second game to help the Wildcats take a 6-1 lead. Senior teammate Darien Woods delivered an ace to help the Wildcats extend their lead to 12-4. Overall, Belleville senior Alex Walters had three aces to lead the Wildcats and Woods finished with 10 assists.
"We have been working on our tipping," Backes said. "I thought that helped us tonight. I told them to stay aggressive, keep at it and that is what they did."
The Wildcats stormed out to an 8-2 lead in the final game with some powerful hitting by Hehn and Walters. The Knights were able to rally from a 19-10 deficit and cut the Wildcats' lead to 23-20. New Glarus junior Taylor Johnson went on a run late from the service line to pull the Knights within four points and New Glarus junior Maeci Rosslein came through with a kill to make it three. However, that is as close as the Knights would get. The Knights were called for an illegal hit and two players ran into each other trying to return a serve to end the game.
"They (Belleville) don't make mistakes," Boatman said. "They don't give you any freebies. You have to play hard. For us, we have to play good. If we give them any freebies they will make us pay for them."
New Glarus senior Jenna Romich had six kills and four blocks. Junior Alaina Legler racked up 14 assists and Johnson had seven digs and three aces for the Knights.
New Glarus now prepares to play in the Middleton Invite Saturday and then will host Wisconsin Heights Sept. 20.
"It doesn't get any easier," Boatman said. "We have to know what we can do and try to get better."
