Volleyball team splits matches with section foes
New Prague faced two Section 2AAA teams last week, defeating Mankato West in three games, but losing to Chaska in three.
The Trojans lost in four games to Mankato East Tuesday, Sept. 28. Their next next two matches are against a pair of No. 8-ranked teams. On Thursday, Sept. 30, they face three-time defending state champion Shakopee, which is ranked No. 8 in the latest Class AAA poll. On Tuesday, Oct. 5, they face Belle Plaine, ranked No. 8 in the Class AA poll. New Prague hosts Red Wing on Thursday, Oct. 7.
Trojans 3, Scarlets 0
New Prague swept Mankato West 25-21, 26-24, 25-14, in a non-conference match at Mankato Tuesday, Sept. 21.
The Trojans trailed early in game 1, but took control and claimed a 24-21 win.
Game 2 was tighter, with eight lead changes. Neither team led by more than three points throughout the match and New Prague's biggest lead was two points as they took the 26-24 win.
The Trojans gained confidence and took control early in game 3 as they never trailed. New Prague led by seven points at 11-4 before the Scarlets made a brief comeback, but they were never able to get closer than four points before the Trojans pulled away for the 25-14 win.
Stephanie Busch was the Trojan's top server, going 22-of-22 and getting three aces. Sara Rookaird had 29 assists, with Rochelle Koehnen getting 14 kills and Foss 12. Lexi Ruehling had five and Makayla Reimers four, while Elly Rinek had one.
Amber Hoffman was strong defensively in the back row, with 12 digs. Maggie Seter and Foss had nine each and Rookaird eight. Foss had three blocks for the Trojans while Ruehling had two and Rookaird, Reimers and Koehnen had one each.
Hawks 3, Trojans 0
Chaska swept the Trojans in three games in a Missota Conference match at Chaska Thursday, Sept. 23.
The Hawks never trailed in games 1 and 3, while the Trojans had two brief leads, at 3-1 and 15-12 in game 2.
Seter was 11 of 11 serving with an ace, Rookaird 10 of 10 and Foss 9 of 9. Rookaird had 20 assists. Foss led the Trojan attack with nine kills, while Koehnen had six, Ruehling five, Reimers three, Rookaird two and Hailey Dolezal one.
Rookaird had four digs, while Foss had three.
Rookaird, Reimers and Koehnen each had a block for New Prague.
