Crusaders tested at Wapello Invite

WAPELLO — Holy Trinity’s volleyball team was tested in its season debut, and coach Melissa Freesmeier was just fine with that.
The Crusaders, who were No. 1 in first Class 1A rankings of the season by the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union, went 3-1 to finish third in the Wapello Tournament on Tuesday night.
Holy Trinity defeated Columbus and Central Lee in pool play, but a 19-21, 21-13, 15-12 loss to No. 9 (Class 3A) Wilton sent the Crusaders into the consolation match, where they defeated Notre Dame 25-14, 25-13 to finish third.
Freesmeier had to do some shuffling after losing two players to ankle injuries. Freshman middle hitter Makayla Simpson was hurt in the opening match against Columbus, then sophomore setter/outside hitter Calli Kruse was injured in the loss to Wilton.
Freesmeier moved junior Adalyn Kruse back to the middle, and defensive specialist Alivia Holmes saw significant playing time, especially in the final match against Notre Dame.
“In the world of adversity, I thought we responded well tonight, with losing two key players,” Freesmeier said. “We put other kids in and switched things up, and we were just able to get things done. And you know, I thought we did a very good job in this consolation game of being in control of it. We came back against Wilton but couldn’t get that one. We were a little bit shaken, but I’m proud of these kids. I just think that they're ready and there are just little things we've got a tweak. But I really thought it was a good night for us.”
The shift of Kruse back to the middle and Emma Mohrfeld being on the outside helped the Crusaders’ defense, Freesmeier said. The two finished the night with five blocks apiece.
“Adalyn can hit from anywhere, and Emma is really comfortable on that right side,” Freesmeier said. “I thought that really helped with our blocking in that last game.”
Freesmeier liked how Holmes stepped up, especially in the final match.

“She did her job well, and that’s what we needed,” Freesmeier said.
Wilton’s hitting provided plenty of challenges for the Crusaders, but it was an early look at what they could see in October when the postseason arrives.
“I didn’t like the loss to Wilton, but that’s a great team,” Freesmeier said. “We got the first game and I really thought we were going to come back and get that third one. I thought we did some good things defensively, and I thought we can learn from that.”
Adalyn Kruse led the Crusaders with 24 kills and 36 digs, and was 22 of 24 serving with three aces. Olivia Bendlage had 20 kills, 18 digs, three blocks, and was 36 of 40 serving with six aces. Presley Myers led Holy Trinity with six blocks, and had 19 kills, 16 digs and was 23 of 24 serving with three aces.
Elizabeth Griffin had a team-high 36 assists to go with 17 digs and five kills. She was 14 of 18 serving with two aces. Holmes had 17 digs and three kills, and was 8 of 10 serving with an ace. Mohrfeld had three digs and six kills, and was 14 of 17 serving with an ace. Calli Kruse had 10 digs, two blocks, and was 23 of 29 serving with three aces. Claire Crabtree had 13 digs, and was 11 of 14 serving with an ace. Simpson had one kill.
“We’ve just got to continue to do our job,” Freesmeier said. “I told them tonight that we didn’t need to get fancy right now, we just need to get back to the basics and get the job done.”
Central Lee went 1-2 in pool play. The Hawks fell to Wilton and Holy Trinity before beating Columbus.
Taylor Jones at 16 kills to lead the Hawks at the net on the night. Kenna Sandoval had 37 assists and 37 digs. Brylee Cook added 11 kills and 11 digs.
The Lady Hawks play at home on Thursday against Keokuk