United South Central volleyball players Hannah Warmka (11) and Chloe Bullerman (10) watch the ball while it comes over the net in the Rebels’ contest against Triton on Tuesday, Sept. 17. USC lost the first set but won the second to tie the match at 1-1. However, the Cobras took the next two sets to claim a 3-1 victory.

The United South Central volleyball team won the second set during their match with the Triton Cobras, to tie the match at 1-1, but the Rebels went on to lose 3-1.

Scores were 25-19, 22-25, 25-17, 25-12.

“We weren’t sharp enough from start to finish to pull out the ‘W’ tonight, unfortunately,” coach Joe Kuechenmeister said. “Credit the Cobras for being scrappy and mixing in a lot of off speed, but we didn’t adjust, and didn’t bring the energy we’re capable of playing with on the floor and it felt like we were fighting an uphill battle throughout.”

Hannah Warmka led the way for USC with 10 kills, one dig and one block. Alivia Bruegger had eight kills, five digs and one ace and Chloe Bullerman also had eight kills and added two blocks.

Eleny Korn had 32 assists, seven digs and two aces. Madison Passer added six kills, eight digs and one ace and Jaelyn Stangler added five kills, one dig and two blocks.

Karly Koehler had 19 digs, one assist and three aces and Presley Brandenburg had five digs and one assist.

“At moments, we made some great plays, but we pieced too many errors together in sets 1, 3, and 4 and that’s a hard thing to overcome,” the coach said. “We’ve got to respond better. These kids will keep working, I have no doubt, and we’ll try to shore up a couple of problem spots defensively so we’re prepared to play better ball in Saturday’s tournament.”

That tournament was the Rebels’ own home USC Invitational Tournament on Saturday, Sept. 21. Details will be included in next week’s Faribault County Register.

USC’s season record now stands at 3-4, and they are 2-2 in the Gopher Conference.

USC 3, Randolph 1

The United South Central volleyball team took a 3-1 victory over the Randolph Rockets on Thursday, Sept. 12, in Randolph.

After losing the first set 25-12, USC came back and won the next three, 25-20, 25-15, 25-23.

“Really proud of the kids and their fight after a lackluster first set,” coach Joe Kuechenmeister said. “They reset and found the energy and fight necessary to not only get themselves back in the match, but take the whole thing.”

Madison Passer led the way with 11 kills, 20 digs and one block. Chloe Bullerman had 10 kills, three digs, six blocks and two aces. Alivia Bruegger added nine kills, seven digs and three blocks.

Coach Kuechenmeister says the team played some of their best team defense in sets two through four that they have all season so far.

“Starting at the point of contact, our block was extremely effective, and defensively our kids read their hitters and moved around the block to keep the ball off of the floor,” the coach said. “I’ve been impressed with our ‘never say die’ attitude as well. Not only did we rebound from a disappointing first set, we were down 9-1 to start the 4th and battled all the way back.”

The coach gave special notice to the Rebels’ setter, Eleny Korn, who had 29 assists, eight digs and five aces.

“She quietly goes about her business, but her decision making with the ball on the second contact has been making all the difference for our hitters and their ability to terminate,” he said.

Hannah Warmka had four kills, one block and two digs, Jaelyn Stangler had two kills, one assist and two blocks and Karly Koehler had 19 digs, three assists and one ace and Presley Brandenburg added five digs, one assist and two aces to the team effort.

The win put the Rebels’ record at 3-3, 2-1 in the Gopher Conference.