Packer volleyball team beats BP for their first 3-game sweep since 2009
Published 10:53 pm Tuesday, September 8, 2015
Blooming Prairie’s Lauren Larkoski digs a ball during game one against Austin Tuesday night in Blooming Prairie. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
BLOOMING PRAIRIE — Just two days after the Packers were swept by the Awesome Blossoms, the Austin volleyball team put forth its best effort in the last six years to sweep Blooming Prairie 25-16, 25-22, 25-19 in BP Tuesday.
Austin libero Kelsey Sederquest, center, celebrates with teammates Shayley Vesel and Awenia Nywesh after a point in game one against Blooming Prairie in Blooming Prairie. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
The three-game sweep was the first for the Packers (2-5 overall) since 2009 when Austin beat Minneapolis South 3-0. The Packers had just lost to the Blossoms 2-0 on Saturday at the Rochester tournament, but things were much different on Tuesday.
Austin senior Ashley Hawkshead had 13 kills and 12 digs Tuesday and she was glad to get another shot at BP.
“They were so beatable at the tournament and it was nice to get another go at it,” Hawkshead said.
Hawkshead had solid communication with fellow senior Shayley Vesel, who has taken on most of the setting duties after the Packers lost senior Marissa Hart to a knee injury and sophomore Trinity Gray to a broken wrist.
Lauryn Bell also played some setter for Austin Tuesday. Vesel, who had eight kills, led the Packers with 12 set assists and she added eight kills.
“It’s a lot different but I’ve gotten used to it,” Vesel said of setting in hitting. “We wanted to get [BP] back. Our first match [Saturday] we didn’t have as much intensity as we did tonight. We really came out strong. We were pumped on the bus and the locker room. We were happy the whole time.”
The Packers led throughout much of games one and three, but they came back from an early 8-3 deficit to win the second game.
Austin senior Kelsey Sederquest had 17 digs to lead an energized Packer team in the back row.
“Kelsey Sederquest played a very, very good back row tonight. Defensively she was unbelievable,” Austin head coach Cindy Owen said. “We were scrappy, but we had good ball control. We’ve become a very good hitting team and we’ve become a very good blocking team and I think that showed tonight. We just had to keep hammering at them and let them make mistakes.”
Austin’s Abi Collins puts up a block on Blooming Prairie’s Courtney Wobschall during game two of their match Tuesday night in Blooming Prairie. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
BP was led by Lauren Larkoski, who had seven kills, and Courtney Wobschall, who had seven blocks.
The Blossoms (2-6 overall) have a squad that is still gaining experience. BP head coach Ranell Kittelson said the team stay consistent.
“We’re looking to follow through on competing,” Kittelson said. “We beat Austin on Saturday, but [Austin] showed up as a scrappier team today. They hardly let a ball drop.”
Austin stats: Awenia Nywesh, 12 points serving; Abi Collins, 11 points serving, 4 blocks; Ashley Hawkshead, 13 kills, 12 digs; Shayley Vesel, 8 kills, 12 set assists; Lauryn Bell, 4 set assists; Amber Hansen, 7 blocks; Kelsey Sederquest, 17 digs
BP stats: Bria Baldwin, 8 digs; Leah Inwards, 7 digs; Abby Wayne, 18 set assists; Lauren Larkoski, 7 kills; Alyssa Krohnberg, 6 kills; Courtney Wobschall, 7 blocks
