While it is a matter of how you finish, for the Macomb High varsity volleyball team, it’s also been a matter of how you start.
“Set one, we start a little slow,” said MHS coach Hillary Humes. “It takes us a little bit to get going.”
After sputtering early against Lewistown, the Bombers came to life, notching a 25-18, 25-7 Prairieland Conference crossover victory Thursday evening at The Hangar.
Macomb improved to 10-7 on the season, while Lewistown dropped to 8-10.
Set one was knotted at 9-9 before a Dakota Thorman tip and a Sophie Wilson ace put the Bombers ahead 11-9.
Lewistown remained close, but with Macomb leading 16-14, a Jordan Hines kill and a Cadence Hotz tip doubled the Bomber lead and the Indians got no closer.
“We’ve been focusing so much on the end of our game,” said Humes. “Now, maybe we can focus on the start of our game and how maybe we can get those first points right out of the gate.”
Set two was nearly over before it started as the Bombers flew out to a 10-1 lead.
Freshman Jersee Mills had five service points, including an ace, while Hines and freshman Brixley Lidaywa recorded kills.
Lidaywa added a seven-point service run later in the set that included a pair of aces, along with kills from Hines and Mills.
With senior Ella Hare out for the season with a torn ACL and Addyson Fox still sidelined with an injured ankle, Humes is looking for bigger contributions from Mills and Lidaywa.
In addition, in search of more offense, Humes is also using a 6-2, inserting freshman Anistyn Lovell as a second setter.
“They love the game and they have no fear when they are out there playing,” said Humes of the younger players. “They want to do well and they really stepped up.”
Mills finished the contest with six kills, five service points and nine digs, while Lidaywa added four kills and seven service points with two service aces.
Lovell handed out 10 set assists and added two digs.
“It’s hard coming in as freshmen, having big roles on the varsity,” said Humes. “That’s pressure. But they handle that pressure well.”
Hines posted six kills and four service points for the Bombers, while Hotz added four kills.
Emily Westerhold added four digs and six service points with two service aces, while Jordyn Shoopman tallied seven service points.
Wilson finished with nine set assists and two digs.
Macomb will head to Bushnell-Prairie City (0-8) for a Prairieland South Division contest on Tuesday before traveling to Augusta to play Southeastern (14-3) on Wednesday.
The Lady Suns are ranked No. 10 in Class 1A by illprepvb.com.
