Colfax netters beat Somerset, split in Hudson

By Cara L. Dempski

COLFAX — The Viking girls were back in action the week after Labor Day, beating Somerset at home Thursday in five sets and splitting four games in the Hudson Invitational Saturday.

Somerset at home

Colfax welcomed the Somerset to its court September 8 and beat the Spartans three sets to two.

The Vikings took the first set 25-18, before allowing Somerset an opening and a 26-24 win in the second set. The Spartans tried to keep up with a faster pace in the third, but lost to Colfax 25-20. Somerset would come back to take the fourth set 26-24, forcing a fifth set, which the Vikings won 15-8.

Head coach Pam Meredith said, “Every season I look forward to playing Somerset for a non-conference match, as they push us to the limit every year.”

Meredith referred to the match as a “barn burner,” saying it was a hard-fought match in a hot, muggy setting.

Coach Meredith credited the win in the first match to aggressive serving and passing, but stated the team dropped the second set after a couple missed serves. The team earned more hitting errors in the second set than in the others.

The Vikings put up some strong single and double blocks in the third set, before dropping the fourth set. Colfax came back from a 0-4 deficit to start the fifth set to take the victory with 15-8 win in the final set.

“It was definitely a feather in our cap to win this match against a tough team,” Meredith said. “We had just changed our lineup and worked on our serve receive patterns right before the match.”

She went on to say the girls are adaptable and handled the changes flawlessly.

Junior Makayla Mattson had a stellar night, firing 19 kills shots at the Spartans. Kameri Meredith, a freshman, put together solid performances all over the court, landing 14 kills, six block kills (two solo, four assist), and 16 digs.

Bryana Buchanan, the senior libero, got more aggressive as play went on, ending her night with 28 digs.

“She is fearless as she digs hard-driven balls,” Meredith said of Buchanan.

Buchanan’s younger sister, Jozie, finished the night with 43 assists and 19 digs. Meredith said the younger Buchanan knows how to find ways to get the job done on the court, using her intelligence to help her teammates.

Freshman Samantha Pretasky also recorded 11 floor-buckling kills and five block kills (one solo, four assist).

Colfax in Hudson

The Vikings met the Bloomer Blackhawks, Prescott Cardinals, Hudson Raiders and Baldwin-Woodville Blackhawks during tournament play in Hudson September 10. Colfax came away with 2-2 record to finish fifth.

“It was a great day for ‘building character,’” coach Pam Meredith said.

She clarified that the team was missing three starters for various reasons. Meredith also said she thought the team still did well despite expecting players to fill positions they haven’t trained or practiced in. She also noted the team needs to work as a group to let mistakes go, and playing in Hudson was a good opportunity to practice that.

Colfax lost to Bloomer in straight sets, 25-19 and 25-23. Makayla Mattson led Vikings with six kills in the match. Rachel Scharlau had two kills again Bloomer, and Kameri Meredith and Taylor Irwin tied with one apiece.

Libero Bryana Buchanan landed two serve aces, while Irwin and Jozie Buchanan brought in one against the Blackhawks.

The Vikings beat the Cardinals in straight sets 25-17 and 25-22. Mattson again led the team for kills, pounding in six attacks during the match. Scharlau was just one step behind her with five kills, and Meredith recorded four.

Jozie Buchanan landed three kills, while Irwin chalked up two. Emma Hurlburt and Bryana Buchanan accounted for two more kills with one each.

Bryana Buchanan led the team in aces, picking up five in the match against Bloomer. Jozie Buchanan had two serve aces, and Erin Nellessen picked up one.

Colfax also dropped their match against Hudson’s Raiders, losing both sets 25-17 and 25-11. Attacks seemed to come harder in this match, with Kameri Meredith leading the team with three kills. Irwin took another two, and Hurlburt and Mattson nabbed one apiece.

Meredith also led the team in aces, nailing two, while Jozie Buchanan and Irwin each took one for themselves.

Colfax took down Baldwin-Woodville in three sets, 25-18, 21-25 and 15-13. Mattson again proved her prowess on kills, taking home another nine. Meredith chalked up another five, Jozie Buchanan took three, and Hurlburt and Irwin evenly split another four.

Meredith again led the serve aces, taking credit for two. Dachel, Scharlau, and both Buchanan sisters brought in an additional ace each.

Coach Meredith said it was a good day for the team.

“I thought we hung in there against Hudson with tough serving and shot placement,” she said. “We also held our ground against Bloomer.”

The Vikings next action is September 20 when they host Plum City in their conference opener.