Scotties Finish Out The Season With Wins

The Lady Scotties finished up the regular season this past week with five matches, two of which were double-headers due to not being able to play those opponents earlier in the season as a result of the pandemic. The Scotties won each of their five matches, ending the regular season 12-6 overall and undefeated in conference play with a record of 8-0. They will be entering 2B Districts this weekend as the number 1 seed.

"I expect that we need to be ready for anything. It's tourney time, anything can happen and we should never count anyone out!," exclaimed Coach Somer Hoerster.

The Scotties started their week of play on Oct. 20 with a home double-header against the Harlem Wildcats. The team secured the win in both matches, 25-16, 25-12, 25-14 and 25-14, 25-17, 26-24. Rachelle Glaser dominated the first match, leading the team in aces with four of the team's 13, in digs achieving six of the team's 25 and 16 assists with the team's 17. In the first match, Abrianna Nielsen led the team with 10 of the team's 24 kills. The second match saw Riley Noser lead in kills with five of the team's 24, Carly Nelson with two of the team's four blocks and Blaire Westby led in digs with three of the team's 11. Daley Aune led the team in aces with three and assists with 10, of the team's 12 and 21 respectively.

"Harlem has a good program and consistency in their coaching. They are a very scrappy team and I thought they did a great job for not being able to practice or touch a ball for three weeks. We enjoy playing them and have had some great matches with them these two years. I expect them to get better and better as their season goes on," explained Hoerster.

Hoerster was able to rotate in all of the kids from the bench during the match in order to provide varsity playing time. "Yes the game was close [in the last game] but I was still really happy with how well everyone rotated in and out and did their jobs. I had lots of girls subbing in and out and the kids did a great job of just going out there and playing," stated Hoerster. She boasted all players were able to have fun, perform great things on the court and be supportive of each other.

The Scotties took the momentum on the road to Malta on Oct. 23 where they once again won in three, 25-18, 25-14, 25-19. This win is the second win against Malta this season as the Lady Scotties also secured the win earlier this season at home.

"We always expect Malta to be tough, especially on their home court. It's a rivalry game and the girls really feed on that environment. We had some great defensive scramble plays and some really great play at the net by the girls. Our group of girls is just so well rounded and we have so many offensive threats. Any of them can have a big night at any time and that's the great thing about coaching this group," reflected Hoerster.

After a day break of reflection, practice and rest, the Lady Scotties played their last match of the regular season, once again in a double-header at home, this time against Poplar on Oct. 24. The Scotties dominated those matches, winning 25-18, 25-14, 25-19 and 25-14, 25-12, 25-20.

The first match saw the Scotties achieve 32 kills, four blocks, 11 aces, 16 digs and 30 assists. Nielsen led the team in kills with 15, Riley Noser led the team in blocks with three, Aune led the team in aces with five and Glaser led the team in assists with 27. Westby and Nielsen each led in digs with four each. The second match saw the Scotties achieve 26 kills, nine blocks, 13 aces, 17 digs and 21 assists. Nelson led the team in kills with seven, Aune led the team in aces with four while Nielsen led the team in digs with seven. Glaser led the team in blocks with three and assists with 19.

In the first match of the double-header, the team was down early in game one but played through errors to bounce back. "They seem to have a theme this season of getting down and then they do a great job of coming back and fighting. They definitely keep things interesting," stated Hoerster. "We had some close calls but the girls seem to enjoy the fight and you hope as a coach that these situations are teaching them valuable lessons about what works and what doesn't."

As the girls prepare for Districts, they will continue working on their serve and passing as well as focusing on specific details necessary to continue the momentum from the past week. Hoerster stated a lot of scrimmage and game play will also occur to find the rhythm.

The Lady Scotties will play on Oct. 30 at noon and will play the winner of the play in game earlier in the day in Malta. If they win the noon match then they will be placed in the championship at 7 p.m.