Win No. 1 was put on the board last week in Monona for Tammy Vrzak and Ashley Walz’s Turkey Valley Trojan volleyball squad.
“We’re off and running,” said Vrzak.
The Trojans topped MFL MarMac in a season-opening triangular on Tuesday, Sept. 3 by scores of 25-12 and 25-21.
“We played much better against MFL than versus New Hampton. All the girls came to play there, as I can’t just highlight one off-hand,” said Vrzak.
TV started out the 2024 campaign with a loss to New Hampton. The Chickasaws downed the Trojans 25-9 and 25-12.
“The scores against New Hampton don’t do us justice, as it was our very first game of the year and their third or fourth. This is not an excuse, but it was an excellent chance for our girls to come together, learn from each other on the court and gel together,” said Vrzak, who is co-coach again this year along with Walz.
Morgan Vsetecka, a senior libero, notched 13 digs and junior outside hitter Annika Bodensteiner recorded four kills versus New Hampton.
Layni Schuchhardt, a junior outside hitter, sent down six kills to the hardwood versus MFL and senior middle Kinsey Reicks cranked her way to four kills. Bodensteiner netted three kills and Vsetecka’s defense was on point with 19 digs.
Efforts foiled at NH
TV (1-4) once again played in the New Hampton Invite on Saturday as they traditionally do every fall. The Trojans took on some top-notch competition in the form of top-ranked Denver, No. 7 St. Ansgar and Tripoli.
The Cyclones topped TV 21-10 and 21-7, while the Saints took it to the Trojans by scores of 21-4 and 21-13. TV ended the afternoon with a match versus Tripoli, which the Panthers won 21-14 and 22-20. In that final set against Tripoli, TV led 9-1 at one point.
“Well, we went to New Hampton and it didn’t go as we had liked, but we are seeing improvement in each game. This is a team that is learning to move and play together and it takes matches like these to make this happen. Our serving was excellent,” said the TV head coach, who is coaching in her 24th season this fall.
TV was a perfect 16-16 serving versus Denver (13-1) and was 16-18 against St. Ansgar (11-4).
There were no stats available for the Tripoli match.
Schuchhardt and Bodensteiner are tied for the team lead with 11 kills through four matches that are posted on gobound.com. Delaney Busta, a senior rightside hitter, has racked up seven kills and Reicks has amassed six kills.
Reicks, an all-conference pick last year, is tops on the team along with Busta with five blocks. TV junior setter Addison Steinlage is the leader in assists for the UIC squad with 29 assists.
Stats vs. Denver
Kills – Annika Bodensteiner 3; Karstyn Lukes 1; Delaney Busta 1
Assists – Addison Steinlage 5
Digs – Alexis Elsbernd 3; Layni Schuchhardt 2; Morgan Vsetecka 2; Kinsey Reicks 1; Lukes 1
Blocks – Elsbernd 3.
Serving – Reicks (2-2); Steinlage (4-4); Schuchhardt (3-3); Elsbernd (3-3); Lukes (2-2); Vsetecka (2-2)
Aces – Elsbernd 1
Stats vs. Saint Ansgar
Kills – Schuchhardt 3; Busta 3; Bodensteiner 1
Assists – Steinlage 4
Digs – Steinlage 5; Reicks 2; Lukes 2; Schuchhardt 1; Vsetecka 1; Busta 1; Bodensteiner 1
Serving – Reicks (4-5); Steinlage (3-3); Schuchhardt (5-5); Elsbernd (3-3); Lukes (0-1); Vsetecka (1-1)
Aces – Schuchhardt 1
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