Lady Cards Finish 2nd In NVC

NVC RUNNER-UP ST. MARY'S - Front row (l-r): Anna Otte, Gracie Williamson and Samantha Asche. Second row (l-r): Kari Boetcher, Bridget Bulau, Olivia Bauer, Lily Bulau, Tatum Ickes, Bethany Leise, Cherish Williamson, Adysen Petersen, Delaney Drueke, Jaiya Johnson, Halle Boetcher, Pyper Ickes and Claire Steinhauser. Photo Courtesy Elgin Review

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ST. MARY'S GRACIE WILLIAMSON goes up for a spike in action against EPPJ in the NVC Volleyball Finals. Photo courtesy Elgin Review.

Last week the pressure was on when the Cardinals hosted the first round of the NVC Tournament Monday, Oct. 20. They invited Santee, who got served in their last encounter with the Cardinals.

The girls had no time for games, and made short work of the repeat opponent. The Cards washed the Warriors in a quick 3-0; 25-5, 25-3 & 25-7.

Gracie Williamson took top honors with 12 kills, two ace serves and five digs;  Tatum Ickes had six kills, one ace serve and one dig;Anna Otte had five kills, five ace serves and one set assist; Adyson Peterson had three kills, 10 ace serves and 20 set assists; Delany Drueke had two kills, five ace serves, five digs and seven set assists; Samantha Asche had one kills, seven ace serves and one dig; Bethany Leisy had one kill, one ace serve, three digs and one set assists; and Cherish Williamson, Olivia Bauer and Jaiya Johnson all one kill each.

The next day, the Cardinals faced Ainsworth, an unfamiliar competitor this season.

Both teams came out hot, but the Cards managed to creep to the top in the opening. The Bulldogs lagged behind in the follow-up, and were in a tight spot going into the finale. They made one last good stride, but when the Cards pulled ahead, they stayed ahead, and took the day 3-0; 25-19, 25-17 & 25-21.

Ickes crushed it with 16 kills, two ace serves and 13 digs; G. Williamson also with 16 kills, one ace serve, two blocks, 11 digs and two set assists; Drueke had six kills, 14 digs and three set assists; Peterson had two kills, one ace serve, 15 digs and 35 set assists; Asche had one kill and two digs; Leisy had 12 digs and one set assist.

After a few days break, the girls traveled to Niobrara to face EPPJ to round out the NVC competition. Earlier in the season, the Wolfpack downed the Cards 2-0, so some payback was well overdue.

This was an unforgettable match-up, with both teams neck-and-neck at all times. The Cards put up 23 points back-to-back in the opening half, but still fell short. They upped the ante post half-time, and got the upper-hand in the third set. In the final moments, the Wolfpack came back with a vengeance and put the Cards down once and for all, 3-1; 25-23, 25-23, 21-25 & 25-12.

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