MEDIAPOLIS — The last week has been a bridge from the conference season to the postseason for Holy Trinity’s volleyball team.
The Crusaders are challenging themselves against quality competition, and they took away more lessons from Thursday’s four-team event at Mediapolis High School.
Holy Trinity, ranked No. 2 in Class 1A, lost 25-23, 25-19 to No. 2 (Class 2A) Eddyville-Blakesburg, then defeated Fort Madison 25-10, 25-17 and Mediapolis 25-13, 25-22.
“It’s what we need this time of year,” said Crusaders coach Melissa Freesmeier, whose team opens regional play next Wednesday. “I thought the way tonight went, I’m happy.”
Holy Trinity went 2-3 at the Pella Tournament last Saturday, including a loss to No. 6 (Class 4A) Pella. The Knoxville Tournament this Saturday will include No. 8 (Class 2A) Pella Christian.
These are tests that will prepare the Crusaders for what comes next.
“Against Eddyville, we had fun. The girls said it was fun,” Freesmeier said. “I like how we’re swinging right now.”
Holy Trinity (25-9) had 71 kills in the three matches. Presley Myers led the Crusaders with 28, while Adalyn Kruse had 23.
“We’ve been tipping a little bit too much at times,” Freesmeier said. “Tonight we went in swinging, and I like that. And that’s what we’ve got to do going into the postseason.
“Presley and Adalyn were on tonight. Elizabeth (Griffin) has some sneaky kills. Olivia (Bendlage) had some good ones, and Emma (Mohrfeld) is getting blocks in the middle. We’re getting the little things done, and I’m happy with where we’re at and what we’re doing.”
Fort Madison (7-26) lost all three of its matches. Besides the loss to Holy Trinity, the Bloodhounds fell 25-17, 26-24 to Mediapolis and 25-16, 25-10 to Eddyville-Blakesburg.
“We definitely saw some good competition,” Fort Madison coach Kelly Knustrom said. “We hope that can carry over to the postseason. I thought we did a lot of good things. That last game (against Eddyville-Blakesburg) was probably a little bit of mental tiredness. I don’t know if we were physically tired.
“I think we just have to stay aggressive. We have to be aggressive, always put pressure on the other team. And we have to be that way in the postseason.”
HOLY TRINITY STATISTICS
Kills — Presley Myers 28, Adalyn Kruse 23, Elizabeth Griffin 8, Olivia Bendlage 5, Anna Bendlage 4, Emma Mohrfeld 2, Teagan Snaadt 1
Assists — A.Bendlage 58, Snaadt 3, Griffin 3, Kruse 1, O.Bendlage 1
Serving — A.Bendlage 35-36 (5 aces), Myers 24-26 (2), Griffin 23-25 (4), O.Bendlage 21-21 (2), Snaadt 20-22 (2), Kruse 18-20 (3), Eva Denning 1-2.
Digs — Kruse 26, Snaadt 24, Griffin 18, A.Bendlage 14, O.Bendlage 13, Myers 9, Mohrfeld 3.
Blocks — Griffin 3, Mohrfeld 3, Myers 3, Kruse 1.
FORT MADISON STATISTICS
Dayonna Davis — 18 kills, 10 digs
Sydney McEntee — 10 kills
Reilynn Turnbull — 35 assists, 17 digs, 14-15 serving with 1 ace.
MacKenzie Huebner — 22 digs
Kylie Lumino — 14 digs, 22-22 serving with 3 aces
Olivia Buckner — 14-14 serving with 1 ace.
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