Spartans go the distance and win over Crusaders
After three sets played, the Exira-EHK Spartans varsity volleyball team was trailing 2-1, but came back to finish off the Coon Rapids-Bayard Crusaders by winning the final two sets, 25-15 and 15-8.
With this victory, it marks the ninth on the season. The Spartans were shorthanded for these games only have nine girls available, including the absence of Senior Makenzie Riley, but played hard and were determined to win.
“It's always good to win, but I think this win was a little special due to the adversity we were facing of not having one of our starters out there,” said Head Coach Derek Reischauer. “Super proud of all the girls, several of the girls were playing in positions they had not played before in a varsity match, and several of the girls were taking on roles they were not necessarily used to, like leadership roles, full time role at setter, secondary setter role, back row roles and vocal roles.”
The Spartans had a total of 31 assists on the night, 30 of which came from Senior Quinn Grubbs, averaging six per set.
“I think that’s probably Quinn's best volleyball match of the year, if not her career,” Reischauer said. “She is one of those girls who had to take on an expanded role being the full time setter, but for me, what I was most happy with, was some of the leadership that she took on. Quinn was talking in huddles and directing traffic a little bit, she gave some emotional, vocal leadership at times and that is what has me most encouraged.”
Grubbs leads the team with 196 assists and 34 serve aces, but it wasn’t just Grubbs who stepped up. Sophomore Harlee Fahn played strong at the net on defense, including three blocks which saved potential points for the Crusaders.
“Blocking is, and has been, Harlee's strength all year. She has good timing and a really good press at the net,” Reischauer added. “She sure had some timely blocks last night and was very lively at the net on overpasses and tight balls. I really think she took a big step forward, not only in her defense, but her offense as well.”
The Spartans will look ahead to its next opponent Thursday night on the road at Woodbine to take on the Tigers (10-14). The Tigers have won three consecutive matches, with its most recent victory against the Paton-Churdan Rockets. The Spartans are hopeful to have Riley back for that matchup, who leads the team with 33 blocks.
“Makenzie is a great young lady and a pretty darn good volleyball player, so having her back would be a big boost to morale as well as what she does on the floor,” Reischauer said. “As we start coming down the homestretch, I just really want to see our girls play with high energy and some vocal leadership.”