The Hastings Girls Volleyball team had a busy week, first at Apple Valley taking on the Eagles where they fell in three sets, then a big conference win over Two Rivers defeating the Warriors 3-1 and then a tournament back in Apple Valley where they went 1-3 against Mounds View, Zumbrota-Mazeppa, Fillmore Central and Avail Academy.
Against Two Rivers, the Raiders took the first set, lost the second and then won out to win the match 3-1. In the fourth set, Hastings fell behind 7-6 and Allie Leflay helped rally a huge comeback to put Hastings in the lead for good. Her serves kept the Warriors off balance and soon Hastings was up 13-7. The Raiders finished the win and celebrated another conference victory.
Coach Elisabeth Curran explained the second game’s troubles.
“I think we let up. The first set was maybe easier than we were expecting. I think that Two Rivers didn't come out with their full force, and so we got lazy and complacent in the second set. I can't quite pin exactly what happened. I think our blocking really let up. That was one thing we had to really adjust moving forward. We're missing a lot of serves, so it was just a lot of stuff on our side that we were doing silly mistakes,” she explained.
How did the girls perform in sets three and four?
“I think our serving really turned the corner on sets three and four. So, being super aggressive, placing it well, and just capitalizing on that. I think being ready for it to come back, I was proud of the girls for not just relying on the server, but backing her up too,” she said.
The energy in the gym felt different for the fourth set, it was almost like Hastings knew they were going to win but also knew they had to work for it. The girls were just energized and ready to go.
“We did say we have got to be earning points and not just waiting for mistakes. I think it was one of the first times where I've seen them in that fourth set really be pushing points and saying I have to get the next one. I was really proud of that, because that's something that we struggle with. It's easy for us to get complacent. So, it was good,” added Curran.
There was some ESPN like highlights in the fourth set as well. Both Hailey Strain and Lexi Gruden were on fire. One shot would be a giant spike, the next a perfect touch dropped in the perfect spot, then another ‘get out of the way’ spike that looked scary fast and hard.
“It's such a good morale boost and energy booster when we get a big kill that we can kind of freak out a little bit and it's so much more fun when it's a big, theatrical kill. It's super sweet to have a couple girls that can do that,” Curran said.
One aspect that may have had an impact on the energy at the end of the game is the fact that for the first two sets, the Raiders rotated all 10 of their players in. They keep 10 Varsity players on the bench along with two JV backups. That made the win a full team effort and allowed the main seven that rotated in to have a little more of a breather. It also helps the younger girls with real time experience which is good for both the depth of the season and the long-term strength of the program.
Hastings will head to Simley on Sept.12 for a 6:30 p.m. tip and then host New Richmond on Sept. 17, also at 6:30 p.m. the final match of next week will be Sept. 19 at home against Mahtomedi which is their Dig Pink Night. Wear pink or pick up a shirt at the school as part of their fundraiser and show up big for what could be one of the biggest matches of the season. That one also starts at 6:30.