Volleyball off to undefeated start in conference, 9-4-3 overall
By Dan Truttschel
Correspondent
Every time Big Foot and Brodhead collide – regardless the sport – it’s going to be a fiercely competitive situation.
That didn’t change Tuesday night when the Chiefs and Cardinals met on the volleyball court.
And for the first set, it was Brodhead had the upper hand.
It didn’t last.
Big Foot, which this week received honorable mention recognition in the latest Wisconsin Volleyball Coaches Association Division 2 poll, overcame a slow start for an 18-25, 25-22, 25-16, 25-14 victory.
The win improved Big Foot to 3-0 in the Rock Valley Conference and 9-4-3 overall.
Seeing Brodhead come out fast at the start wasn’t a shocking development, Big Foot coach Caitlin Dowden said.
“We talked before the match how we knew Brodhead was going to be tough, and we would have to weather the storm,” she said. “Once we calmed down and played Big Foot volleyball, we looked solid.
“It just took us a little bit to calm down and not play so tense. We are a team that plays much better when we are having fun.”
Leaders included Gloria Esarco with 15 kills; Kampbell Hehr with six aces and 35 assists; Kennedy Hehr with six aces and 25 digs; and Payton Courier with four blocks.
The win came on the heels of a 25-14, 25-16, 25-14 non-conference sweep Monday night at Elkhorn.
Several Chiefs got into the act in the 3-0 win.
Leaders included Kennedy Hehr with 18 digs, 11 kills and three aces; Esarco with eight kills and nine digs; Payton Courier with seven kills; Sophie Foster with eight digs; Julia Gilstrap with seven digs and four aces; Kaiti Kelley with three blocks; and Kampbell Hehr with 27 assist.
That balanced stat sheet is another key to success, Dowden said.
“We have a well-balanced team,” she said. “A lot of people contribute each and every night in different aspects, which is huge.”
The three-set sweep, the Chiefs third this week, was another indication of their focus, Dowden said.
“The girls have stepped up in our sweeps and really taken to the idea that each match out of the court, we want to play Big Foot volleyball and take care of business,” she said.
“I am very pleased with how well the girls are playing currently, but we know that we need to continue to improve.”
The Chiefs resume RVC action Thursday night at Clinton, followed by a trip to the Edgerton Invitational Saturday morning.
It’s only mid-September, and there’s still plenty of volleyball to be played, but Dowden said she’s been pleased with her team’s progress to this point.
“The girls are working hard each day and every time they step on the court,” she said. “We are continuing to learn how to mesh together, and as ta improves, so does our play.
“We have a lot of potential, and as long as we stay positive with ourselves, good things happen.
Chiefs win two in RVC
Big Foot opened last week with a 25-19, 25-21, 25-11 win Sept. 8 over visiting Beloit Turner, followed by a 25-8, 25-1, 25-9 victory Sept. 10 at Palmyra-Eagle.
Leading the way against Turner were Kennedy Hehr with 12 digs, 11 kills and three aces; Esarco with seven kills and four aces; Foster with seven digs; and Kampbell Hehr with nine digs and 27 assists.
Against Palmyra, Kennedy Hehr had 11 digs and seven kills, followed by Morgan Courier with six kill; Esarco with three blocks, six aces and 14 digs; Kampbell Hehr with 15 assists and four aces; Foster with 12 digs and four aces; and Payton Courier with three blocks.
