August 24, 2018 The Lady Jack Volleyball team dropped their record to 0-5 with four losses at the Mystic Invite in Bismarck August 24-25. They actually started the tournament off by winning their first two sets, 25-23 and 25-22 to Miles Community College. They were not able to hold on to that momentum however and dropped the next three sets by scores of 25-14, 25-17 and 15-4.
Sophomore setter Abbey Franklin lead the team in assists with 16. Sophomore Middle Rebecca Helmeczi and freshman OH Michelle Krahn each picked up 6 kills in a balanced offense that saw eleven different players contribute at least one kill. Helmeczi and freshman Lexi Gullett each added two aces.
In the second game Friday the Lady Jacks were overpowered by a veteran host team. The Mystics of Bismarck State won all three sets in convincing fashion, 25-11, 25-12, 25-10. Helmeczi again lead the Lady Jacks in kills with 3, with Franklin picking up 10 assists. The story of the game was the Lady Jacks inability to pass effectively as they made 19 serve receive errors in the match.
August 25, 2018 DCB came out flat in the morning dropping three sets to Mayville State JV by scores of 25-13, 25-16 and 25-11. Helmeczi, Krahn and sophomore OH/DS Quinn Billaney each had 3 kills. Billaney's defense was a bright spot for the Lady Jacks as she picked up a season high 16 digs.
The last match had the excitement and intensity of a playoff game. DCB took on a much improved Lake Region State College and came out strong taking a 22-20 lead late in the first set. LRSC came back to win 25-23 in a closely fought battle. The Lady Jacks continued to fight hard but dropped the next two sets by scores of 25-19 and 25-23. Despite the 3-0 loss DCB played their best volleyball of the weekend against Lake Region who improved to 3-1 with the win.
Freshman Amy Stolz was the leader on offense picking up 7 kills and added 1.5 blocks on defense. The Ladyjacks hit the ball much better in this match with several players putting up good kill totals. Billaney-5, Helmeczi-4 and Krahn 3. Freshman Libero Sarah Marshall lead the team defensively with 13 digs.
Note: Starting RS freshman Ashlynn Starry rolled her ankle just 7 points into the first set against Miles. Starry had been the team's top hitter in practice and will miss their home opener against Dawson on Wednesday August 29. It doesn't look like it is a long term injury and she hopes to be back for the September 7th home game vs Trinity Bible College.
The Lady Jacks dropped their first match of the season on Wednesday August 22nd in Devil's Lake. They lost 3-0 to Northland College by scores of 25-18, 25-16, 25-11. Starry had 5 kills, 7 digs and a block. Krahn had 5 kills and 2 digs.