Blossom’s hitting duo of Smith and Hefling help deliver a playoff victory
Published 9:27 pm Monday, October 21, 2024
Jaspher Doocy sends a hit across the net for the Awesome Blossoms in Blooming Prairie Monday. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
The Awesome Blossoms celebrate during their three-game sweep of Kingsland Monday night. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
Ella Smith eyes up a hit for the Awesome Blossoms. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherlad.com
Mia Johnson makes a dig in the back row for the Awesome Blossoms. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
Samantha Hefling attacks against Kingsland’s Kalyn Stier in Blooming Prairie Monday. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
Blooming Prairie’s Ambriella Miller positions herself to make a pass in Blooming Prairie Monday. Rocky Hulne/sports@austindailyherald.com
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BLOOMING PRAIRIE – The No. 15 seeded Blooming Prairie volleyball team stayed locked in the moment in its final home match of the season as it beat No. 18 Kingsland by scores of 25-20, 25-18, 25-13 in a Section 1A Tournament opener Monday.
Senior Ella Smith put down 14 kills for the Awesome Blossoms (8-21 overall) as she took the court with purpose.
“It’s really hard to be in a do or die atmosphere. If you lose, you’re never going to be able to play with these people again,” Smith said. “Even though it’s a pig tail game, and it gets taken for granted, to play one last time on your home court is awesome.”
Kingsland (4-17 overall) ran out to a 7-4 lead early in the first game and it held a 12-8 lead before Smith hammered down three kills in a rally that saw BP score six straight points. BP started strong in sets two and three as Sam Hefling, who had eight kills, started going to work.
“Part of the reason we were able to side out well was the hitting numbers that Ella Smith and Sam Hefling put down tonight,” BP head coach Gina McLaughlin said. “Sam hit .571 while Smith hit 379. Kingsland didn’t have a good answer for Smith in set one. Once they adjusted better in set two, Sam went to work. Claire Schwarz gave the girls some good sets throughout the match. Add to that some strong serving from Claire and Catelyn Bartlett and we were able to roll through set three.”
Schwarz, a junior, finished with 26 set assists and 12 digs, as she ran the offense throughout the victory.
“It’s fun when our team is all engaged in the game,” Schwarz said. “(Ella) was on every ball tonight. We’ve improved a lot together since last year and we’ve connected.”
It’s been a year of growth for BP as the team had to work in a lot of new players in the lineup this season. Smith said it was nice to see everything come together on Monday.
“We lost a bunch of seniors from last year’s team and we’ve had people step up this year and play roles for us,” Smith said. “We’ve had a lot of players move around to different positions and it’s a really big deal for everyone that we’ve had player.”:
BP will now play at No. 2 Spring Grove at 7 p.m. Thursday.
BP stats: Jaspher Doocy 2 kills; Madelyn Harvey 1 assist, 12 digs; Mia Johnson 1 dig, 1 ace; Samantha Hefling 8 kills, 1 assist, 9 digs; Claire Schwarz 2 kills, 26 assists, 12 digs, 2 blocks, 3 aces; Mairead Holmes 1 kill, 1 assist; Ella Salinas 4 kills, 5 digs; Ella Smith 14 kills, 2 digs, 1 block; Catelyn Bartlett 9 digs, 2 aces.
Kingsland stats: Chantle Reiland 2 kills, 10 assists, 6 digs, 2 blocks, 3 aces; Vaira Merkel 4 kills, 2 digs, 1 block; Caisa Kolling 7 digs, 1 block; Emma Howard 7 assists, 4 digs; Kaelynn Howard 1 kill, 1 dig; Kayln Stier 4 kills, 4 digs, 3 blocks; Paisley Robinson 9 digs; Dasanay Brewster 1 dig; Jillian Moore 1 assist, 5 digs.
