Greensburg traveled to Batesville for EIAC volleyball action on Monday. The host Bulldogs took two matches while the Pirate reserves won the other match.
In the freshman contest, Batesville won in two games 25-17, 25-22.
In the opening game, the teams battled to a 17-17 tie before the Bulldogs went on an eight-point run to win the game.
In Game 2, the Pirates trailed 16-9, but Kim Kamman served the Pirates back even at 16-16. Batesville was able to edge the Pirates by three the rest of the way to claim the victory.
“The ladies came in wanting a win very bad. I was proud of the way they all played. After seeing how Batesville played Saturday, for the first time this year I knew our girls could play with them. I am always amazed at how hard these ladies play,” noted freshman coach Brian Dodson.
Kim Kamman had a big night on the line serving 10-for-11 with three aces and one kill. Erica Schwering served 7-for-7 with two aces and five kills. Michaela Buell served 7-for-7 with an ace and a kill. As a team the Pirates were 35-for-40 from the line, with nine kills and six aces.
Greensburg won the reserve match in three games by the scores of 25-13, 12-25, and 15-13.
After winning the first game, passing difficulties by Greensburg aided the Bulldogs in Game 2. With the third game tied 13-13, the Pirates served out the game and the match.
“I was extremely proud of the way they fought hard in the third game to not allow the Bulldogs to get a strong lead. They stepped up big when it really counted to push their record to 9-8 on the season and 3-4 in the EIAC,” noted Pirate head coach Randy Obermeyer.
Greensburg’s Mollye Leas finished with 11 passes and only one error. She also
led the team in digs with six and no errors. April Faulconer stepped up from the
attack line as she killed seven and assisted for eight. Mollye Leas also toed
the service line for 18 serves with one error and two aces.
The Pirates lost the varsity match in three games 25-8, 25-9, 25-13.
“Batesville has a great team, and they proved it tonight with their very solid performance. They were probably the toughest team we played all season,” noted Obermeyer. “Most impressive was their blocking, as they found a way to get their hands on everything we sent their direction. It made it easy for their defensive players to get set up to pass, because by the time the ball got to them the ball had been slowed down. The Bulldogs play well together and three of them played on a winter club team for the SEIVB (Southeastern Volleyball Club), which gave them a great deal of playing time together.
“We played much better than the scores showed. We made a lot of touches on the ball too, during our blocking, but were unable to finish the offensive attack. Passing was decent also, as well as our setting, but we were just unable to find the flaws in the Bulldogs defense to capitalize on,” added Obermeyer. “Our hustle to the ball on digs was very impressive tonight, as they not only dove for the ball, but they used both hands in the process. I was very excited as a coach to see that happen tonight, and now that we have crossed that barrier, the defensive opportunities are unlimited for us.”
For Greensburg, Ashley Leitgabel passed 15 on serve receive, while Kelly
Nicholson ended with 12. Nicholson also dug for eight with no errors.
The loss drops the varsity Pirates to 9-17 on the season, and 2-5 in the EIAC.
Click here for photos of the Batesville vs. Greensburg volleyball action.