By Chad Koenen

Publisher

After a number of close games and near-wins over the past few weeks, the New York Mills volleyball team picked up their first win of the season last Monday night with a 3-0 victory over Norman County East/Ulen-Hitterdal.

On Thursday the Eagles dropped an exciting, but heartbreaking five set match against Bertha-Hewitt to drop to 1-10 overall and 0-3 in the Park Region Conference. The Eagles will look to rebound this week when they will host Park Christian in non-conference action on Tuesday night, before they travel to Verndale on Thursday in a Park Region Conference matchup. 

Monday 

A balanced offensive attack with eight Eagles picking up at least one kill helped to lift the team to their first win of the season last Monday night. 

The Eagles took the first game over Norman County East/Ulen-Hitterdal by a score of 25-18, before capturing the second game by a score of 25-20.

NY Mills were strong throughout the night on the defensive end of the court as they picked up 43 digs as a team, while collecting 12 ace serves as a team to complete a three game sweep over the Titans with a 25-12 win in the third game. The win is the first of the season for the Eagles who have come up just short in several games over the past two weeks. 

“We played a complete match at NCE/UH. Our energy level was at the top of the charts. Serving was excellent. Our activity at the net was at a season best (Chloe and Alivia),” said head coach Steve Dunrud. “We had great effort and capitalized on the free balls that we received with an in-system attack. We’re very happy to see the girls rewarded for their hard work and effort. This group has worked so hard and has been a joy to work with. It’s very satisfying to see them smile at the end of a match knowing that they gave it their best and had a successful night! Now the challenge is to keep improving, as we’re not where we want to be yet.”

The Eagles were led offensively by Ellyana Ruther with eight kills, while Chloe Costin finished with seven and Alivia Preuss finished with five. Julie Seim and Talli Schmitz finished with the lead in assists with 15 and 13 respectively, while Aubree Salo finished with a team-high 15 digs. 

Schmitz finished with four ace serves, while Alise Schornack and Ruther each finished with three ace serves and Costin finished with two.

ASSISTS- Talli Schmitz 13, Julie Seim 15, Aria VanOrsdel 1

KILLS- Alie Schornack 3, Chloe Costin 7, Ellyana Ruther 8, Alivia Preuss 5, Aria VanOrsdel 3, Emilia Maunumaki 3, Channing Frost 2, Addyson Johnson 1

DIGS- Talli Schmitz 2, Alise Schornack 8, Chloe Costin 1, Julie Seim 2, Ellyana Ruther 11, Alivia Preuss 1, Aubree Salo 15, Aria VanOrsdel 2, Addyson Johnson 1

BLOCKS- Chloe Costin 4, Aria VanOrsdel 2

SERVING- Talli Schmitz 13-14 (4 ace), Alise Schornack 20-20 (3 ace), Chloe Costin 10-12 (2 ace), Julie Seim 10-10, Ellyana Ruther 9-10 (3 ace), Aubree Salo 6-7

Thursday

In a match that was decided by just two points in three of the five sets played, NY Mills came out on the short end of an exciting Park Region Conference match against Bertha-Hewitt on Thursday night. 

“What an exciting match! Five sets of awesome volleyball. Even though we were on the wrong side of the final score, we saw what we’re capable of throughout the match. We had a great comeback (down 3-10 at one point) to win the first set. Played very well throughout the whole second set, and forced extra points in the final set after being behind throughout the set (down 7-12),” said head coach Steve Dunrud. “We really couldn’t be any prouder of our players as they dug down deep to keep the ball alive numerous times during the match. Being in a five set match is draining physically and mentally, but the girls never gave up. This was a great learning experience that will benefit us as we move forward with our season.”

After being down 10-3 in the first set, NY Mills charged back in a big way to take the set by a score of 25-23. The Eagles kept that momentum going in the second set with a 25-18 win, before Bertha-Hewitt charged back with a 25-14 win in the third set and a 25-23 win in the fourth set to force and fifth and decisive set. 

In a back and forth set from the onset, Bertha-Hewitt was able to come away with the thrilling 18-16 win to hand the Eagles a tough 3-2 loss.

The Eagles once again had a balanced scoring attack with Ellyana Ruther leading the way with nine kills, while Alise Schornack, Chloe Costin and Alivia Preuss each finished with seven kills. Talli Schmitz led the way with 20 assists, while Costin finished with a team-high six blocks.

Aubree Salo stayed busy on the defensive end of the court with a team-high 27 digs, while Ruther finished with 14 and Schornack finished with 13. 

As a team the Eagles served 91 percent with Esne Lien finishing a perfect 7-7 with one ace, Seim finishing 16-16 with four aces and Schornack finishing 26-26 with three aces to lead the way. 

ASSISTS- Talli Schmitz 20, Julie Seim 17, Aria VanOrsdel 2

KILLS- Talli Schmitz 1, Alise Schornack 7, Chloe Costin 7, Ellyana Ruther 9, Alivia Preuss 7, Emilia Maunumaki 6, Aria VanOrsdel 6

DIGS- Talli Schmitz 8, Alise Schornack 13, Chloe Costin 5, Julie Seim 4, Ellyana Ruther 14, Alivia Preuss 1, Aubree Salo 27, Emilia Maunumaki 2, Esne Lien 1

BLOCKS- Chloe Costin 6, Alivia Preuss 2, Aria VanOrsdel 1

SERVING- Talli Schmitz 7-10, Alise Schornack 26-26 (3 ace), Chloe Costin 15-17 (1 ace), Julie Seim 16-16 (4 ace), Ellyana Ruther 10-12 (4 ace), Aubree Salo 13-15 (2 ace), Esne Line 7-7 (1 ace)