Crusaders finding balance at the right time

Upcoming regional pairings

We’re wondering, and we’re hoping,” she said. “We get what we get, and we’re not going to throw a fit. Take one game at a time, and go from there.”

Melissa Freesmeier- HTC girls volleyball Head Coach

DANVILLE — October has a different feel, and Holy Trinity’s volleyball team knows it.
Postseason is approaching, and the No. 10 (Class 1A) Crusaders are playing their best volleyball at the right time.
Thursday’s 25-13, 25-15, 25-16 win over Danville was a complete effort for the Crusaders (19-8 overall, 4-3 SEI Superconference South Division), who have won 12 of their last 13 matches.
Holy Trinity, which made it to the state tournament last season, should know its regional tournament road on Friday with the IGHSAU expected to release the pairings. But the Crusaders already have that October feeling.
“I can see that in the way they’re playing, and I can see that in the way we’re practicing,” Holy Trinity coach Melissa Freesmeier said. “They don’t take a day off.”
What Freesmeier likes the most is the balance of her team. Everyone, she said, is fitting into specific roles and finding out ways to produce — five Crusaders had at least one assist in the match.
“We have an arsenal out there,” she said. “It’s just making our team better. The key is doing your jobs, and we’ll win some ballgames. The cohesiveness is just so much better.”
Holy Trinity’s offense was led by freshman Presley Myers, who had a career-high 17 kills on 30-of-30 hitting. Freesmeier said she is working well with sophomore Anna Bendlage, who had 36 assists.
“Anna, as you saw again tonight, is playing better and better,” Freesmeier said. “And Presley had a career high tonight, and she’s getting better and better. They’re running well together.”
Myers had four kills in a 12-0 run by the Crusaders in the second game, who were trailing 13-12 when the run began.
“Big run,” Freesmeier said. “And then the kids just started to play volleyball, have some fun.
“I was very impressed. Danville fought and fought and fought. But again, we ran our offense well.”
Mary Kate Bendlage was 12 kills on 28-of-32 hitting. She also was 6-of-6 serving, adding six digs and a block. Kayla Box had five kills and three blocks. Anna Bendlage had seven kills and five digs. Taegan Denning had a kill, an assists, was 20-of-20 serving with one ace, and 11 digs. Brooke Mueller had three kills, two assists, 13-of-15 serving with one ace, and 13 digs. Teagan Snaadt had an assist and 13 digs. Alexa Dingman was 6-of-6 serving. Laura Mehmert was 14-of-15 serving with two aces, and added three digs.
Freesmeier said she’s looking forward to seeing the pairings.
“We’re wondering, and we’re hoping,” she said. “We get what we get, and we’re not going to throw a fit. Take one game at a time, and go from there.”
It is the feeling of October.
“I think they’re feeling it, and having fun with it,” Freesmeier said.