NEW GLARUS — The Glarner Knights scored a sweep victory over Cambridge March 8 on Senior Night/Parents Night, then lost a four-set squeaker to Lodi the following day.
In the 25-18, 25-19, 25-9 win over Cambridge, the Knights used a variety of lineups to ensure playing time for all four seniors, as well as getting the underclassmen involved. All 12 players on the varsity roster saw time on the court. The inclusion strategy worked out for all involved, as many younger players got to see crucial volleys from the court, and the seniors were given the go-ahead to swing away.
Senior Alexah Mellenberger, one of the team’s all-around leaders, finished the night with 5 kills and 14 assists. Next season Mellenberger will play at Central College in Iowa. She carries a 3.7 GPA and plans on going into the field of mathematics.
Other Glarner Knights seniors include twin sisters Kortney and Kaitlyn Peterson. Kaitlyn is planning on attending Edgewood with major in nursing. Her goal is to become a nurse practitioner. She holds a 3.9 GPA at New Glarus. Sister Kortney also has a 3.9 GPA and will attend Carroll University in Waukesha. She has already received direct admission to the physical therapy school.
Senior Emily Trumble is undecided in her college choice, but is leaning towards Wisconsin and would like to major in political science. She has a 4.0 GPA. Trumble also scored the last point of the match on a dump kill that found no-man’s-land in the middle of the Cambridge defense.
Grace Nommensen had 6 kills in the match for New Glarus, while Emma Marty collected 4 blocks as a middle blocker.
“(We’re) so fortunate to have both Mellenberger and Nommensen running our offense as setters behind the 10-foot line and also at the net,” New Glarus coach Kayla Zimmerman said. “Emma Marty has stepped in from the pin this year, from right side hitter to middle hitter. New starter, Amber Horn (soph.) has filled the other middle hitter role with lots of power and explosion. Ellie Eichelkraut and Alexah Mellenberger were aces at the service line.”
This team is predominantly young, and the growth that we are seeing, regardless of win/loss record is really exciting.Kayla Zimmerman, New Glarus coach
Against Lodi, the Knights fell 22-25, 25-23, 20-25, 23-25. Zimmerman said the team struggled with the quick offensive attack the Blue Devils brought to the table.
“As the scores show, the games were tight, and back and forth throughout. (We) struggled with 19 hitting errors, and sent 34 free balls over the net. It’s hard to give away that many points and opportunities, and still recover,” Zimmerman said. “
Nommensen had 15 kills, 3 aces, 13 assists and 5 digs. Mellenberger finished with 7 kills, 22 assists and 4 aces. Horne had six kills and Marty added 5. Freshman Carrah Bainbridge added 10 digs on the back line.
“This team is predominantly young, and the growth that we are seeing, regardless of win/loss record is really exciting,” Zimmerman said.
