Savage Heat go one-for-three
The Savage Heat had an up and down week. First losing to Charlo, 3-2 on Tuesday, and Stillwater Christian, 3-0, on Friday, before rebounding against Two Eagle River for a 3-0 victory.
Versus the Vikings it was one momentum shift after another as Hot Springs fell 14-25, 25-7, 17-25, 25-12, 15-7.
“It was, it was the craziest game, it was awesome,” Hot Springs head coach Alicia Pablo said of the up and down affair. “I’m very proud of them. It just didn’t go our way that last match.”
A trio of sophomore standouts led the Savage Heat as Alyssa Foster tallied seven kills while Shannelle King racked up 28 digs. Hannah Retalick had 10 assists for Hot Springs.
Kinley Pope tallied 21 digs and Dawn Blevins dished out 28 assists for the visiting Vikings.
“We weren’t playing terrible,” Pablo said of the three matches her team lost. We just weren’t winning the volleys.”
Despite the loss Pablo was optimistic about her teams performance. “I think everything finally clicked and everybody was finally playing their game,” she said.
On Friday, in Hot Springs, Stillwater Christian made quick work of the Savage Heat, winning in straight sets, 25-17, 25-10, 25-7.
Hot Springs, however, was not at full strength after senior and regular starter, Gina Morigeau was hit by a car on Thursday evening.
“That kind of took the wind out of our sails,” Pablo said. “It was just a fluke thing you wouldn’t think would happen in Hot Springs.”
Pablo remained hopeful that Morigeau, who is suffering from bumps, bruises, and road rash will return to play this season.
Erin Schmidbauer had four kills for the short-handed Savage Heat. King added 10 digs, and Retallick five assists.
Jordan Danz had 12 kills, to go with 12 digs and three blocks to lead Stillwater Christian in the nonconference win.
A change of scenery made all the different for the Savage Heat as they came away with the sweep against Two Eagle River, 25-12, 25-10, 25-8.
Freshmen Meara Schmiedbauer racked up six of Hot Springs’ 23 aces in a statistically impressive victory. Palo played some of her younger players, not only to rest her regular starters, but to gauge her team’s progress as well.
“That’s exciting because they played so well,” Pablo said of her frehmen. “I think playing those freshmen helped really helped us see what we can use them for during districts.”
Pablo was also happy with the way her team transitioned off the net, an area they have struggled with this season.
McKendra Mock had three kills for Eagle Two River, as Amanda Quesquesah had two assists.
Pablo has been pleased with her team’s improvement this season despite playing in the shadow of last year success.
“I’m ecstatic,” she said. “I think they’re starting to realize that they are a pretty darn good little team themselves.”
“It makes me proud because they’re taking responsibility for their own actions,” Pablo added. “They come back to practice and give 110 percent working on things that they know are their weaknesses.”
The 4-6 Savage Heat will face Noxon at 7 on Thursday, before hosting St. Regis on Friday at 4:30 p.m.