By Chad Koenen

Publisher

Despite starting the season with nine straight losses, the New York Mills Eagles are proving to be a dangerous team capable of pulling off an upset over  some of the top teams in not only the conference, but the section as well.

Last week the Eagles fell to both Lake Park-Audubon and Henning by a 3-0 score, but both matches were anything but a clean sweep.

On Monday the Eagles pushed the Raiders to extra points in two of the three sets and lost a third set just 25-23. On Thursday the Eagles fell to the Hornets 3-0 in a match up that could have went either way in the opening two sets of the night. 

This week the Eagles traveled to Norman County East/Ulen-Hitterdal on Monday, before hosting Bertha-Hewitt on Thursday in Park Region Conference action.

Monday

In a match that came down to the wire in all three sets, the NY Mills Eagles came up just short in its quest for its first win of the season last Monday night as they fell to Lake Park-Audubon 3-0.

In an exciting first set, NY Mills came out on the short end of a 27-25 set, before falling 25-23, 26-24 to drop the match 3-0.
All three of the sets were determined by just two points as the Eagles continue to show improvement through the early parts of the season.

“Last night’s match was exciting from beginning to end. Three sets determined by two points each with two of them needing extra points,” said head coach Steve Dunrud. “We had our chances, but give credit to the Raiders for making a play when they needed it. We missed a few too many serves in the first set (6) that would have helped us out, but then only missed four more in the last two sets.”

As a team the Eagles served just 86 percent from the line with four aces with just Alise Schornack and Chloe Costin finishing with a perfect night from the service line. 

Alivia Preuss had a solid game at the net for the Eagles as she finished with 10 kills and three blocks. Talli Schmitz and Julie Seim led the team with 11 and 10 assists respectively, while Aubree Salo led the way with 12 digs. 

Dunrud said the Eagles are playing some solid volleyball each night and continue to work together to pick up their first win of the 

season.

“We are playing some good volleyball in each set/match, but have mixed in a little too much inconsistent play along the way. I give credit to the girls for their effort, and attitudes as we work towards that first win of the season,” said Dunrud.

ASSISTS- Talli Schmitz 11, Julie Seim 10, Emilia Maunumaki 1, Aria VanOrsdel 1, Autumn Salo 5

KILLS- Chloe Costin 4, Ellyana Ruther 7, Alivia Preuss 10, Emilia Maunumaki 1, Aria VanOrsdel 4, Channing Frost 1, Sawyer Anderson 4, Autumn Salo 1

DIGS- Talli Schmitz 2, Alise Schornack 1, Chloe Costin 2, Julie Seim 9, Ellyana Ruther 7, Alivia Preuss 2, Aubree Salo 12, Esne Lien 1, Sawyer Anderson 8, Autumn Salo 1

SERVES- Talli Schmitz 6-7 (2 ace), Alse Schornack 2-2, Chloe Costin 6-6, Julie Seim 7-8, Ellyana Ruther 12-13 (1 ace), Alivia Preuss 4-7, Aubree Salo 14-16 (1 ace),  Sawyer Anderson 5-6, Autumn Salo 6-7

Thursday

  NY Mills welcomed one of the top teams in both the section and conference to town on Thursday night for a tough Park Region Conference match up against the Henning Hornets. In a match that was anything but easy for the Hornets, the opening two sets of the night were back and forth until the Hornets went on a late run to get past the Eagles 25-21, 25-18. The third set proved to be all Hornets as they came away with a 25-11 win to complete the hard-fought sweep over NY Mills.

“Once again, a pretty good match in the Park Region Conference. Both teams played some inspired volleyball with the Henning Hornets coming out on top by a 3-0 set score. For the Eagles of New York Mills, the first 2 sets could have gone either way,” said head coach Steve Dunrud. “We played some scrappy defense in keeping the volleyball off the floor on our side of the net. We just need to do a little better job of having an in-system attack. This will be easier when we pass the first contact a little better so our setter has at least two options every time to set to. Serving was an asset for us as we only missed three serves on the night.”

Just a few nights after serving under 90 percent as a team, NY Mills missed just three serves all night and served 94 percent as a group. They also had an extremely balanced offensive attack with Alivia Preuss leading the charge with five kills, while Chloe Costin chipped in with four and Ellyana Ruther finished with three. Ruther also led the team with 14 digs, while Aubree Salo and Julie Seim each reached double figures with 10. 

Salo finished a perfect 10-10 from the service line to lead the way, while Alise Schornack, Costin, Sawyer Anderson, Autumn Salo and Abby Berndt all finished with a perfect night serving. 

Despite the loss, Dunrud said he has been pleased with how hard the Eagles have been working on the little things to try and improve as they approach the second half of their season. 

“It’s a work in progress and the girls are working hard on all of the little things, which will make us a better team moving forward. Again, the effort and attitude put forth by the team was excellent,” said Dunrud. 

ASSISTS- Talli Schmitz 6, Julie Seim 6, Autumn Salo 3

KILLS- Talli Schmitz 1, Alise Schornack 2, Chloe Costin 4, Ellyana Ruther 3, Alivia Preuss 5, Emilia Maunumaki 2, Aria VanOrsdel 1

DIGS- Talli Schmitz 4, Alise Schornack 3, Julie Seim 10, Ellyana Ruther 14, Aubree Salo 10, Aria VanOrsdel 1, Sawyer Anderson 2, Autumn Salo 1, Abby Berndt 2

BLOCKS- Chloe Costin 5, Alivia Preuss 1, Aria VanOrsdel 1

SERVES- Talli Schmitz 6-7 (1 ace), Alise Schornack 4-4, Chloe Costin 5-5, Julie Seim 7-8, Ellyana Ruther 10-11, Aubree Salo 10-10, Sawyer Anderson 3-3, Autumn Salo 3-3, Abby Berndt 1-1