Last Updated: Friday, September 5, 2008 10:34 AM CDT
RHS wins Valley opener
By John Paul Norton - Special to the Daily News
The Rhinelander volleyball team started off Wisconsin Valley Conference play with a 3-1 victory over the Wisconsin Rapids Raiders at Lincoln Fieldhouse on Thursday night.
The Hodags started out with a 2-0 lead (25-16 and 25-21), but the Raiders made it interesting after that.
“We played well in the first game, but then we started to let our guard down,” Rhinelander head coach Kathy Wawrzynowicz said. “We became tentative and fell apart for awhile, especially in that third game. But we had to focus in the end, and we did just that.”
Rhinelander fell behind in the third game, 12-2, then came back but eventually lost 25-14. In the fourth game, however, it was nip and tuck with the Hodags prevailing, 26-24.
A couple of off-the-court challenges caused Rhinelander to make some last-minute adjustments, but it didn’t seem to matter in the end.
“Amy Berry was under the weather and didn’t make the trip,” Wawrzynowicz said. “Besides that, we now have Tessa Grill with a possible meniscus tear. I’m concerned with our health issues, but it is something that we will have to deal with.”
The key to the match was the fourth game, and a couple of Hodags came through when it mattered.
“I was especially pleased with Jenny Polzin and Molly Hildebrand on their service aces in that last game,” Wawrzynowicz said. “Actually, as a team, we were at about 98 percent. Whenever you get up that high, your chances of winning are much better. I also was pleased with the way Samantha Pues played. She was a major factor in this win.”
The coach also gave credit to the way Rapids battled right to the end.
“Their libero was simply amazing,” Wawrzynowicz said. “She gave us fits and almost single-handedly took this whole thing over. But this match was a product of how we’ve been preparing for conference play, and I’m glad we’re on the right track.”
Statistically, senior Ashley Polacek led the way with 12 kill points and junior Sara Specht added eleven. As usual, senior Rhea Mainhardt topped Rhinelander in assists with 26, and senior Sara Rinka had a team high 15 digs for the Hodags.
RHS’ early season success at the Wisconsin Dells tournament seems to be showing some signs of paying dividends. That, and dealing with the pending health concerns, will require some toughness to be successful.
“This was a match that easily could’ve gone either way,” Wawrzynowicz said. “Just by looking at the score, though, you can tell that we just will not give in this year. I am hoping that this is how it will be. I had to adjust my game plan and scheme on the way down here, so I’m elated that we were able to come out on top.”
Rhinelander will now finally be able to get a break from the road as their next three events will be at home. Up next will be a 7 p.m. match next Tuesday, a non-conference tilt against the Crandon Cardinals, a Northern Lakes Conference squad that finished 7-3 in their league last season.
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