It didn’t really matter that the Lady Dragon volleyball hadn’t seen the Wendell Trojans previous to their matchup in their first home game of the season.  In their Thursday night contest, Malad easily dominated their newest district opponent, winning 3 games to 0.  Head Coach Camie Tripp admitted that they knew very little about the Wendell team but that didn’t matter because what she did know was that her Lady Dragon team was more than ready to take them on.

From the first serve of the game, it was clear that Wendell would have a tough time keeping up as they sent their first pass straight into the net off of Riglee Peterson’s serve.  Before long, Malad was up 6-1 in part by their own skill but also in part to Wendell’s errors.  Just when it seemed like they would be gaining some ground in the play, the Lady Dragons would pound one more over, reminding the Trojans that they were going to have to fight for it.  

Opposite hitter Paityn Ward demonstrated that point perfectly as she attacked the net with a strong approach and slammed the perfectly placed ball by setter Izzy Haycock.  Wendell attempted to dig the attack, but the powerful hit shanked off the arms of their passer and out of bounds.

Malad’s domination made for a fast moving game and before long the Lady Dragons were narrowing in on the win for game one. With the score at 23-8, Wendell played with a small burst of intensity, scrambling to keep their game alive.  Setting up for a hit, their outsider hitter tipped the ball over the MHS block.  Brynnlee Jones was quick to dive for the short placed tip to keep it in play.  Ward reacted in time to Jones, popping the ball back into the court, placing it just in front of Peterson who hit the ball across the net.  The Trojans bobbled the hit, putting the Lady Dragons just one point away from claiming game one.  Wendell faltered under the pressure of the game point, hitting their final attack into the net.

Malad began game two just where they had left off, completely dominating the court and controlling the game as they built up an incredible 16-0 lead.  The Lady Dragon back row defense was nearly flawless as they picked up every Trojan attempt of an attack.  Senior Brylee Oglesbee managed a dig deep in the back court, allowing setter Haycock to push it outside to hitter Jones for the attack.  In the very next play, Oglesbee brought about two more stellar digs to keep her team rolling on the court.  

Despite their efforts on the court, Wendell just couldn’t find a way to put points on the scoreboard.  They would have moments when it seemed like they were battling back with a strong hit, good dig or well placed block, but Malad would always answer in an even stronger fashion.

Attacking from the outside, Brinley Clark found herself going up against a double block.  She managed to pound it through, but the Trojans popped it back up and kept it in play.  After Wendell returned the ball to the Lady Dragons, Clark had a chance at redemption with a second attack.  Going up just as she had before, Clark drew the double block again and instead, tipped it just behind them, short of their back row defense.  The MHS skilled and strategic play was no match for Wendell team.  Malad easily claimed the second game, 25-2.

Whether they were feeling inspired or found a way out of their slump, the Trojans jumped to a short lead to begin the third game of the match, getting up 0-3.  Malad quickly corrected their errors and before long they tied the game at three points off a block by Mady Vanebebber and Jones.  

Wendell continued to trail the remainder of the game, but played with more fight and intensity, requiring more from the Lady Dragons.  Malad responded with an offense that was difficult to predict as setter Haycock pushed the ball across the net to all her hitters.  Anistyn Tovey had several well placed serves, first sending them short and away from the defense, then deep on the back line.  The MHS clinched the victory after claiming the third game 25-13.

The first home win was just what the team needed to get their momentum rolling in this new season.  While they have been playing well and seeing success, the Lady Dragons have had some challenges settling into their groove in their opening games.  Replacing graduating players, settling into new positions and getting comfortable with a new rotation has taken some time but Thursday night’s game demonstrated that the Lady Dragons have found their magic formula for a winning season.

Player Aces Kills Digs Blocks

Izzy Haycock 3 3 9 0

Anistyn Tovey 2 0 4 0

Paityn Ward 0 4 4 0

Brynnlee Jones 0 9 18 3

Brinley Clark 0 13 2 0

Liv Nielson 0 6 9 4

Mady Vanbebber 0 3 1 0

Brylee Oglesbee 0 0 5 0

Riglee Peterson 0 1 23 0