Tuesday, October 29, was the last volleyball game of the year for the New Haven Shamrocks. The Shamrocks faced Hermann in the second round of the district games. This was the second consecutive year that New Haven went up against the Hermann Bearcats in districts.
Going into the game, players knew that this was going to be a battle if they wanted to come out on top, and after winning their first district game, the girls were feeling pretty good. Still, players were nervous and excited all at once.
We asked senior McKenzie Overschmidt what her feelings were before entering the game. She mentioned, “I was pumped for the game, but knowing it could be my last really made me emotional.”
Alaina Scott, junior, also commented, “I thought we played hard. It was a tough set but it was obviously going to be tough because they won state last year.”
Once the game started, the Shamrocks started out strong. They were digging up balls in the back row that were coming in hard. New Haven used all their shots. They got balls down with a role shot, or a simple tip over the net. After about their 6th point, New Haven struggled with putting the ball away and missed serves which put them in a bind for their first set.
We asked junior Ellie Westermeyer what her thoughts were on the first set. She replied, “I thought we could have had better passes at the end of the set. Also we needed to be closing our block faster, but it’s pretty hard to do when you go up against girls with their heads that go above the net.”
New Haven lost the first set 9-25.
Beginning the second set, the Bearcats were on fire. If you’re from New Haven, the Hermann Bearcats have been a town rivalry for years and saying that probably fires you up just a tad. The Shamrocks hung in there for the beginning of the set. McKenzie Pecaut, senior, managed to score an ace, causing the bench to go crazy. Scoring an ace against some of the best passers in the state is huge.
New Haven went on a short run with several kills and one block. Again, passers were picking up a lot of the powerful hits making it easier on the setters. Hermann then took off, leading the game 20-6. The Shamrocks missed several of their serves, giving the Bearcats free points. New Haven lost the set 25-6.
We will miss all of our seniors next year and wish them the best of luck! Now onto basketball season!
Go, Shamrocks!