Coach Whisman pleased with effort in volleyball loss against Casey-Westfield
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By Mike Monahan
ARCOLA – Casey-Westfield’s volleyball team, a tall one at that, used its power for a total of 21 kills in sweeping Arcola 25-18, 25-10 last Thursday. Casey was playing its third match, while it was the first for Arcola.
“Obviously this was the first time that this team has played together in a game,” said Arcola Coach Katy Whisman. “ Like I told the girls in the locker room we are starting two freshmen so, there were a lot of nerves coming in. I think everyone did great.”
The Lady Riders never led in the match, but trailed 9-6 in both when Casey, coached by Martinsville grad Jessica Daugherty, a former Lake Land coach, began to pull away. In the first set Anna Karras served three points, including an ace for a 13-6 lead. The Lady Riders were still within five after a tip by Kiera Leal made it 14-9. Madilyn Gelb served three points, getting help from Lucy Moore with a thunderous kill to make it 21-11.
In the final set Arcola, who had it tied at three, remained close, tailing just 10-7 when Casey reeled off five straight points for a 15-7 lead as Ava Goble served four, including an ace.
“Especially at the beginning of the second set we were doing well,” said Whisman. “It was just little things here and there. They were huge. I saw little tidbits of good things. I think if we just keep doing good things then we will be good.”
Whisman singled out substitute Mady Lyons. “She did a great job coming in and doing her job of getting her passes up.”
Arcola had 23 digs, including six by Leal and Pilkington. Arcola had eight kills, two aces and two assists.
Casey improved to 2-1. Gelb led the Lady Warriors in kills with nine, while Hannah Schackman had six kills. Karras had three of the team’s 11 aces, while Moore had two blocks. Goble had 15 of the Lady Warriors 28 digs, while Haley Schackman had 13 assists.
Thursday at Arcola
Casey-Westfield def. Arcola 25-18, 25-10
ARCOLA: Averi Kutz 1 kill, 1 dig; Ema Simpson 1 ace, 2 kills, 4 digs; Jolena King 1 ace, 2 kills, 2 digs; Kiera Leal 1 kill, 6 digs; Maddie Pilkington 1 kill, 2 assists, 6 digs; Mady Lyons 1 dig; Tenley Thomas 1 kills, 3 digs
JV: Casey-Westfield def. Arcola (0-1) 25-18, 25-23