Big Onalaska runs were the engine behind a sweep over district foe Crockett Tuesday, as the team by the lake won 25-11, 25-18 and 25-8 at home.
The opener was close at 10-8, but Onalaska would go on to score 15 of the next 18 points for a big win.
The Lady Wildcats raced out to a 10-1 advantage to start the second set with Chloe Mitschke serving. Crockett was able to cut into the lead making it a five-point game, but a seven-point win made it 2-0.
Another fast start by Onalaska provided the victory, as they scored 10 before Crockett got on the board. Serves by Faith Tyerman helped in the early run.
“This is actually our second game since our starting middle, Taylor Hudson, rolled her ankle when we played Groveton the other night,” Onalaska head coach Megan Nichols said. “We have a freshman, Jackie Roth, that has stepped into that starting spot, and she has done great. I think tonight she had 10 aces. In our game against Kennard on Friday, she had double-digit kills, so she has been huge. She was already on varsity, and we were using her utility-wise because she can play anywhere.”
The coach said even when the team returns to full health, Roth has earned herself more playing time with the performances of the past few games.
“I thought that our libero, Kaydance Talbot did a great job today with a lot of those balls that are coming over and funneling them to the setter,” Nichols said. “She does a great job leading our defense always, and she is very positive and uplifting and holds it together.”
The victory Tuesday started the Lady Cats off on the right foot in district with a 1-0 record. After Friday's game with Trinity, they will travel to Coldspring Tuesday.
The coach expects Anderson-Shiro, Coldspring, and Trinity to all compete at the top of District 23-3A along with her team. She anticipates a tight race this year.
“I like that we were able to adjust to this new lineup very quickly. Last year, it would have been complete chaos to try to throw in someone new. Today, we finally looked like we were playing with a lot of confidence again. That is really what we have been emphasizing, just minimizing errors and going out there and playing every single team with confidence.”
