Olivia Bird dives to return a kill during USC’s volleyball match against Hayfield on Oct. 7.

The United South Central Rebel volleyball team got on a good roll and notched another win when they defeated another Gopher Conference opponent, the Hayfield Vikings, on Tuesday night, Oct. 7, at home in Wells.

The Rebels won 3-1, with the set scores being 25-16, 25-19, 18-25, 25-22.

“We were able to play some of our best volleyball of the season in sets one and two!” coach Joe Kuechenmeister exclaimed. “The girls stayed disciplined defensively, we passed the ball extremely well so we were able to run an effective offense utilizing our middles throughout.”

Kuechenmeister added that while the team’s level dropped in set three, they reset and battled much better in set four to secure the win.

Chloe Bullerman led the Rebels again, with 28 kills, 11 digs, three blocks and two assists.

“Chloe continues to put up massive numbers in the front row, and that’s a credit to her ability to see the defense, but also to an improvement in our passing and the setter/hitter connection getting more consistent.” the Rebels’ coach said. “Speaking of setter, Izzy Bird continues to improve in her location and decision making and our offense is the better for it.”

Bird had 44 set assists, 12 digs and one ace.

Jaelyn Stangler had 11 kills and two blocks, Alivia Bruegger had seven kills, 12 digs and one block and Reanna Obermeyer added five kills, two digs, one block and two aces.

Olivia Bird and Kaydra Haugh each had six digs. Presley Brandenburg and Jaiden Gossen both had two digs and Gossen had one block. Carissa Hanson had one dig and four aces.

“Carissa Hanson had a big night for us from behind the service line,” the coach said. “She manufactured four aces, while consistently putting the Vikings out of system from contact one.”

USC is now 6-17 and 2-6 in the Gopher Conference.

“All in all, great to see the kids earn another Gopher Conference win.” Kuechenmeister said. “This is absolutely a confidence boost heading into our last two regular season matches of the fall.”

The Rebels played again on Friday, Oct. 10, at Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton. This week they host Kenyon-Wanamingo on Tuesday, Oct. 14, in their last regular season match. Details will be in next week’s Faribault County Register.

USC 3, BP 1

The United South Central Rebel volleyball team had a great night on Thursday, Oct. 2, when they traveled to Blooming Prairie and took on the Awesome Blossoms.

The Rebels took the match 3-1, with the set scores being 26-24, 25-20, 18-25, 25-17. It was their first Gopher Conference win of the season.

“This was a big win for the kids tonight,” coach Joe Kuechenmeister said. “Not only is it nice to get that first Gopher Conference ‘W,’ but we had to battle through some tough moments to do so and I’m proud of the growth I saw. In the past, when the going’s gotten tough, we’ve folded and that didn’t happen tonight so that’s big confidence wise.”

Chloe Bullerman was spectacular in the front row racking up 29 kills while hitting .362, the coach added. Bullerman also had eight digs, six blocks, one assist and one ace.

Jaelyn Stangler also had a solid night with 10 kills and two stuff blocks.

Alivia Bruegger had four kills and 12 digs, while Reanna Obermeyer had three kills, five digs and one ace and Jaiden Gossen had one kill and two blocks.

Olivia Bird had 10 digs and one assist, Presley Brandenburg had one kill, one dig and one assist and Kaydra Haugh had six digs and one assist.

Izzy Bird had 35 assists, four digs and four aces.

“Tonight’s win gives us good momentum heading into next week where we feel we have an opportunity at two more wins,” the Rebel mentor said. “Hopefully we can keep climbing the ladder!”

USC is now 5-17 (1-6 Gopher Conference).