The sisters try hard, but the Cardinals volleyball team loses to Lanesboro in 5
Published 22:41 Thursday, August 22, 2024
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LeRoy-Ostrander’s Kaci McKenzie strikes out against Lanesboro on Thursday in LeRoy. Rocky Hulne/[email protected]
LeRoy-Ostrander’s Meah Stevens wins a set against Lanesboro on Thursday in LeRoy. Rocky Hulne/[email protected]
LeRoy-Ostrander’s Kendall Olson strikes out against the Burros on Thursday. Rocky Hulne/[email protected]
Brooke Jasper sets up a tackle for the Cardinals. Rocky Hulne/[email protected]
Benita Nolt attacks the net. Rocky Hulne/[email protected]
LEROY – LeRoy-Ostrander sisters Benita Nolt and Maria Almaraz-Nolt have endured many battles together and were tested again when the Cardinals fell short of winning their season-opening volleyball match on Thursday, losing to Lanesboro 25-19, 19-25, 25-22, 20-25 and 17-15.
The Cardinals (0-1 overall) led 6-3 in the final game and took a 12-8 lead after Almaraz-Nolt and Miranda Nagel both had big kills. LO led 15-14 and had a chance to win, but the Burros scored the final three points – including an ace serve from Jensyn Storhoff that made it 16-15.
Nolt, a senior, had 15 kills and 12 digs and Almaraz-Nolt added 14 set assists and five kills in her first game as a setter.
Nolt was pleased with the Cardinals’ fight to the end.
“As a team, we competed really well. Going through five sets is really tough, but we’ve been staying in shape all summer and we’re ready for the fifth set if we need to. We didn’t win, but we have the whole season ahead of us,” Nolt said. “It’s so fun that I get to share the court with (Maria). It’s really nice to have someone to hold each other accountable with, whether it’s at home, at practice or at the weightlifting. We always have each other’s backs.”
Almaraz-Nolt was a hitter last year and this year she’s playing setter-cum-hitter as the Cardinals switch to a two-set offense following the graduation of Jenna Olson, who had over 1,000 assists in her career at LO. Meah Stevens is L-O’s other setter.
“I welcome the change. I just have to fill a gap,” said Almaraz-Nolt. “Benita is a great role model for me and she is always there for me.”
LO trailed for a long time in the third game before coming back to take a 20-19 lead, but the Burros finished the game with flying colors. The Cardinals responded in a decisive fourth game to take a 17-8 lead.
“That’s high school volleyball. It was a fun game, but we wanted to be on the other side. We played hard,” LO head coach Lindsay Milks said. “(Benita and Maria) will continue to grow together. Maria has a new role and with her ability to connect, they will help us a lot.”
LO statistics: Meah Stevens, 20 set assists, 4 digs, 1 kill; Maria Almaraz-Nolt, 14 set assists, 5 kills, 2 digs, 1 ace, 1 block; Benita Nolt, 15 kills, 12 digs, 2 aces, 2 blocks; Brooke Jasper, 10 digs, 5 kills, 1 ace; Kaci McKenzie, 5 digs, 3 kills, 1 ace; Kendall Olson, 3 kills, 1.5 blocks; Miranda Nagel, 3 digs, 1 kill, 2 aces, 2 blocks; Addie Harn, 5 digs; Tessa Lewison, 5 digs
