Lady Bulldogs Struggle to Get the Job Done

The Lady Bulldogs suffered a pushback during a Northeast Conference volleyball  match at Deuel on Tuesday, September 1. Milbank held solid leads in all three sets, only to find themselves on the losing end with scores of 26-28, 22-25, and 22-25.

“Definitely not a good feeling,” said the Lady Bulldog’s head coach
Nancy Hoeke. “It’s disappointing to have leads, especially near the end of the set, and not be able to finish.”

Milbank started the opening set with a 13-7 lead. They remained ahead at 22-15 and again at 24-20. Deuel then went on a five-point run to even the score at 24-24. With the score tied 26-26, Milbank committed two errors to give Deuel the 26-28 win.

The second set was even tighter than the first. The teams tied the score 12 times, including at  20-20. In the final minutes of the set, Milbank committed four unforced errors and Deuel belted out two kills to deliver a 22-25 loss to the Lady Bulldogs.

In the third set, Milbank held a 15-11 advantage. Deuel came inching back to knot up the score again at 20-20. Milbank errors combined with kills by the Cardinals left the Lady Bulldogs to take the loss at 22-25.

“We struggled with different things at different times,” said Hoeke. “Too many missed serves, inconsistent serve-receive, setters not getting the ball to the hitter, and hitting errors. So that is what we will be working on – how to finish!”

Thue led the offense for Milbank with seven kills on 29-33 hitting, four aces on 10-13 serving, two assists on 2-2 setting, two blocks, and eight digs. Siri Bien followed with five kills on 18-20 hitting, three aces on 9-10 serving, and one assist on 4-4 setting. Casside Seezs added five kills on 20-25 hitting, one ace on 10-11 serving, and eight digs. Jessica Van Peursem had three kills on 12-13 hitting, 11 assists on 46-52 setting, one ace on 9-9 serving, and
nine digs.

Hallie Schulte led the defense with 12 digs. She also had one ace on 6-9 serving, one assist on 2-2 setting, and 2-2 hitting. Shelby Lee, had one kill on 5-7 hitting, one assist on 5-6 setting, and one dig. Jodi McFarland had one kill on 11-12 hitting, one ace on 4-7 serving, five assists on 15-15 setting, and three digs. Rachel Schulte added 9-9 hitting, one ace on 3-3 serving, one assist on 1-1 setting, and two digs.

“I’ve got girls who are excited to be playing volleyball and are willing to work to get better,” said Hoeke. “That’s a good combination to move forward.  I need to get players in positions that give them the best opportunity to be successful.”

Photo – starters for Milbank, (l. to r.) Jodi McFarland, Jessica Van Peursem, Hallie Schulte,
Madi Thue, Siri Bien, Shelby Lee, and Casside Seezs.