Bulldogs remain unbeaten in conference volleyball action

The Bulldogs stayed unbeaten in the Dunn-St. Croix volleyball standings with a pair victories over Plum City and Durand this past week.

Although Boyceville, 3-0 in D-SC play, beat two teams that it should have, it wasn’t easy, particularly in Thursday’s showdown in Durand.

 

After subduing the Blue Devils in a three-set match at home Tuesday, September 22, the Bulldogs had their hand full against the upstart Lady Panthers in the pair’s first-ever Dunn-St. Croix duel September 24.

The Lady Bulldogs also competed in the Cameron Invitational on Saturday, September 26 where they finished 0-5.

Durand

It appeared as though Boyceville was primed to take yet another sweep for the victory as it jumped to a two-set to none lead over Durand, winning 25-20 and 25-10.

But the host Panthers suddenly sprung back to life in the third set. Play and points went back and forth throughout the middle game before Durand was able to secure the two-point win at 27-29.

That momentum carried the Panthers to another tight victory in the fourth set by the count of 22-25.

The fifth and final set was also a nailbiter but the Bulldogs were finally able to close out Durand and the match win with a 15-13 victory.

After a fairly close outcome in the opening set, Boyceville head coach thought her troops had picked up the pace and had the momentum after a 25-10 victory in the second set.

“Everything seemed to be clicking, then Durand started coming on strong in that third game,” noted Corrie Roemhild, Boyceville head coach. “There were some very long volleys (in that set) and the fourth.”

Roemhild said that her players dug deep and gave it everything they had left in them to pull out the win.

“It was a hard fought battle between two scrappy teams,” added Roemhild. “It was great to come away with a ‘W’.”

In the five-set match, Madysn Riek had six aces, eight kills and ten digs. Cassie Malean tallied two aces, ten kills and a dozen digs. Marki Lagerstrom had nine digs to go with two aces. Hannah Guy added nine kills and 12 digs. Erica Sempf had ten kills. Abby Lorenz finished with six assists. And Morgan Kuhn compiled a phenomenal 29 assists.

Plum City

It took the Bulldogs just three sets to earn a victory when the Blue Devils came to Boyceville Tuesday, September 23 but the Plum City squad showed some moxy in the effort.

Boyceville won the contest by scores of 25-16, 25-15 and 25-19 but had to work hard in all three sets to earn the victory.

“We came out strong in first two games,” said Coach Roemhild. “But we seemed to let down and lose a little of our focus during that third game.”

That is when senior Jenna Beyrer stepped up her service game, winning seven straight points, giving the Bulldogs a lift and the momentum to close out the match.

“Plum City set up some good blocks, which challenged us and we had to make a few changes,” added Roemhild.

Cassie Malean had five kills and three digs while Hannah Guy tallied four kills and a trio of digs and Erica Sempf added four kills against Plum City. Marki Lagerstrom had five aces and digs with Madysn Riek getting four digs. Morgan Kuhn continue to set-up the Bulldogs’ offensive attack with 18 assists.

Cameron Invitational

The Bulldogs finished without a win at the Cameron Invitational Saturday, September 26.

“It was a very competitive tournament with several strong teams,” noted Roemhild. “We had a difficult time gaining momentum and keeping it.”

The Lady Bulldogs won just one set in the five matches that they played in Cameron.

Boyceville lost matches to host Cameron 18-25 and 15-25; Fall Creek 19-25, 25-19 and 9-15; Colfax 21-25 and 18-25; Prairie Farm 19-25 and 17-25; and Rice Lake 17-25 and 13-25.

“We had moments where we would come on strong, but they were short lived,” state Roemhild. “It was a tournament that opened our eyes to what we need to continue to work on.”

Boyceville will hit the toughest part of its conference schedule over this next week as it squares off against the Dunn-St. Croix’ other unbeaten teams – Spring Valley, Colfax and Elk Mound. The Bulldogs hosted Spring Valley last night (September 29) and will welcome the defending conference champion Vikings to the Dog House on Thursday, October 1. Last year’s conference runner-up, the Mounders of Elk Mound are slated to host the Bulldogs on Tuesday, October 6.