E-S volleyball team gets first conference win

by Joyce Corley, student writer

On Saturday, Sept. 12, the Eleva-Strum volleyball team, along with nine other teams, traveled to Melrose-Mindoro for the conference tournament. 

The Cardinals started off their day by playing Alma-Pepin and were defeated 3-0 by scores of 25-21, 25-13, 25-17. Eleva-Strum started off strong, but seemed to struggle after the first game. Next, the Cardinals were defeated by the Whitehall Norse, 2-1, by scores of 25-19, 25-15, 10-15. The Cardinals then defeated Independence, 2-1 by scores of 18-25, 25-22, 15-9. Independence fought back during the second set but weren’t able to win the last set. Finishing up pool play, the Cardinals took on the Gilmanton Panthers, winning all three games, with the scores being 25-12, 25-17, 15-11. Ending their day with single elimination, Augusta defeated Eleva-Strum 2-0.

Josie Olson led the team with 16 kills, Mackenzie Hutchins had 15 kills and 37 digs, and Megan McLean contributed 50 set assists.

The Cardinals resumed regular season conference play with the Gilmanton Panthers on Tuesday, Sept. 15. During the first game, the Cardinals struggled to push points, but after using their first timeout, they found a way. In the second match the Panthers came out with the win, and then the Cardinals took the third and fourth to secure 3-1 victory. The ending game scores were 19-25, 25-22, 25-19, 25-22.

The statistical leaders of the night were Olson with 11 kills, Hutchins with eight kills and 14 digs, and McLean with 13 set assists. 

The Cardinals will take on the Alma Center Lincoln Hornets on Thursday, Sept. 24.