Pointers face some power at the nets

When the SWAL schedule came out with room to add games Mineral Point’s volleyball team elected to go with challenges.

Thursday they had their first taste o facing a power program and lost in three sets to Martin Luther Prep.

Scores were 22-25, 14-25 and 19-25.

'This was a good test for us early in the season,” Pointer coach Kri Kbat said.  “Luther Prep has some great young talent, and their setter is phenomenal.”  

There were some good moments for the Pointers.

“We had a very competitive first set with them, and were up at points in the game,” Kabat said. “We didn't balance our attack enough, and their blockers keyed on our outsides from pretty early in the match.”

Kabat learned areas the Pointers need to gove attention to.  

“We need to get our middle more involved, so it helps out our overall offensive scheme,” the coach said.  “We are still working on connections with new 6-2 offense and setters this year, but our young team is coming along.  I am happy with the talent we were able to face in this match as this would not have been an opportunity for us in the past.”  

“Our new conference schedule freeing up some non-conference teams lets us explore some high level competition, which is good for us to see where we are at and what we need to develop quickly,” Kabat added.  “I thought for how much the blockers keyed on her, Maddy had a great night offensively and defensively and served aggressively. We were a little shaky in serve receive, which is usually not the case for our team.  It was good to go against some strong float servers.”  

Stat Leaders:

Kills: Maddy Kabat - 12, Brynn Swenson - 5

Assists: Sophie Miller - 14

Blocks: Tenleigh Bockhop - 2

Aces: Maddy Kabat - 3

Digs: Ava Ingwell and Maddy Kabat - 12

Brodhead Invite

Saturday the Pointers went to Brodhead for another tough team and came away with third place after going 5-1.

Results were:  

Pool Play:

Defeated - Evansville 2-0, Monticello 2-1, Albany 2-0, Monroe 2-1

Tournament Play:

Lost to Turner 1-2

Defeated New Glarus 2-1 for 3rd place finish out of 10 teams.

“We had a strong day overall, but had moments where we just couldn't get things going in a few games,”  said Kabat.  “It has been a few years since we have not played in the championship match at Brodhead, so that was a tough spot for us to be in.”

The coach assessed the play ths way”

 “Our setters, Sophie and Sadie Miller, are working hard at building connections with our hitters and they both did a nice job for us on Saturday,” she said.  “Our outsides, Maddy Kabat and Brynn Swenson, continue to carry our offense and play strong all around. Our middles, Kinlee Prust and Tenleigh Bockhop, are working hard at being more vocal and calling for the ball more to help spread our offense. Ava Ingwell has been absolutely fantastic for us in the backrow and defense and she picks up balls that nobody else can. Our offense often relies on her read on defense, and we are fortunate she is the master of that skill. Our rightsides, Bree Swenson and Macy Kinch, are just all around consistent and place the ball well when they get the opportunity. Chloe McVay does a nice job of setting a block on the right side as well.  Addie Burris and Annie Goninen are excellent defense & passing relief players and they are fantastic teammates and keep everyone into the match.  Although we were bummed to not play in the championship match this year, I absolutely love our team dynamics and know we will continue to excel.”