Bulldog Volleyball Falls Short Against Madison

Tuesday, October 9 saw the Lady Bulldog volleyball team return home after a string of on-the-road games to take on the “other” Bulldogs from Madison. After winning two and losing two, 22-25, 27-25, 22-25 and 25-20, the Milbank girls team would end up losing in a close fourth tie-breaker set -13-15.

“This was really a back and forth match with lots of momentum swings. We got off to a nice start in every set. It was fun with moments of greatness and such good competitive points. Then we’d fall into those stretches when we give up sx or seven point leads. But Madison does some good things and makes it tough with their defense and quick attack out of the middle. We put ourselves in a position to win and that’s all you can ask of your team.
It was disappointing at the time, but we have moved on. I’m proud of the girls, when they come to practice the next day, they are over it and ready to go again,” gave Coach Nancy Hoeke of the girls’ effort.

Numbers for the night were high given the effort and the high number of sets, with seven aces for the night, two of those from Senior, Katie Wollschlager.

Racking up double digits in attacks were Jaecy Engebretson with 19 kills, Gabbi Cummins totaling 16 kills and Makayla Johnson adding in 13 kills. Engebretson and Johnson were also leaders in the assists category, with Engebretson at 24 and Johnson at 22. In blocking, Tracy Pillatzki had four assists, Anna Mathews had one solo and one assist, Jaden Hoeke had two assist and Johnson added three assists, Cummins with one solo, one assist and Engebretson with one solo and two assists.

Coach Hoeke adds, “It can be hard this time of the year to keep practicing and following the routines that we have, but these girls come each day without complaining and prepare for the next match. I appreciate that about them.”