Crusaders dominate Mepo in sweep

MEDIAPOLIS — There is depth with Holy Trinity’s volleyball team, and there’s enough chemistry among the Crusaders’ rotation that they can make an adjustment, and not lose any momentum.
That was apparent in Thursday’s 25-15, 25-16, 25-6 win at Mediapolis.
Junior Calli Kruse had to sit out the third set with a sore knee, forcing the Crusaders to go from their usual 6-2 offense to a 5-1. And then they went out and dominated the Bullettes in the set, scoring 10 consecutive points in one stretch.
“We had kids come in, step in, and they just did their jobs,” Holy Trinity coach Melissa Freesmeier said. “We went to a 5-1, and they just acted like we do that all of the time.
“I think that they trust their teammates, all the way across the board. They know that whoever's in that game is going to give it their all. And we did that tonight and ended up with a victory.”
Holy Trinity (9-3 overall, 3-0 Southeast Iowa Super Conference South Division) controlled the match against the Bullettes (9-4, 3-1) from late in the second set to the end. The Crusaders, ranked third in Class 1A, led 17-15 in the second half before scoring eight of the next nine points. They then led 14-2 and 21-3 in the final set.
“Mediapolis had been on a roll lately,” Freesmeier said. “We came in here wanting to get the sweep, but I didn’t think we could go 25-6 in the third set. That just shows how well we played.”
The Crusaders’ depth, Freesmeier said, has made them hard to defend.
“We’ve got an arsenal of hitters, and they all contributed tonight,” Freesmeier said. “We served the ball aggressively, we passed the ball well. I thought we played very well tonight.”

Adalyn Kruse led Holy Trinity with 13 kills. Olivia Bendlage had seven kills. Makayla Simpson and Kymber Jones each had six.
“I thought Makayla was really good tonight,” Freesmeier said. “She did what we know she can do.”
The Crusaders are off this weekend before beginning a busy week on Monday, when they play host to the HTC Classic. They play Tuesday at home against Central Lee, then Thursday and Saturday in the Super Conference Tournament.
“These kids are hungry,” Freesmeier said. “They love the game. They compete. I mean, this is the way practice is every day. They're competing with each other, against each other, and for each other. They want to play and showcase their talents and just have fun.”
HOLY TRINITY STATISTICS
Serving — Kate Pieper 18-18 (1 ace), Olivia Bendlage 14-15, Elizabeth Griffin 11-11 (2), Adalyn Kruse 9-9, Brynn Denning 8-8, Calli Kruse 6-6 (1), Layne Schmitt 3-3 (1).
Kills — A.Kruse 13, Bendlage 7, Makayla Simpson 6, Kymber Jones 6, Griffin 4, Pieper 4
Digs — Bendlage 19, Griffin 15, Denning 12, A.Kruse 7, Pieper 5, C.Kruse 4, Jones 3, Brooklyn Scheetz 3, Simpson 1, Claire Crabtree 1
Assists — Griffin 24, C.Kruse 9, Denning 5, Bendlage 1
Blocks — Jones 2, Pieper 2, Griffin 1