On Saturday March 14, New Haven’s 8th grade volleyball team played in the Owensville Tournament. There were eight teams in the tournament. The Shamrocks’ first game was against Washington. This was the third time this year the two teams have played each other.
During the first set, New Haven struggled with covering Washington’s tips over the middle blocker; however, during the second set New Haven moved much quicker and kept the score close. Washington was able to defeat New Haven in two sets 25-14, 25-22.
The Shamrocks’ next game was against St. Clair, whom the Shamrocks beat in three sets a week ago. The first set started off with the Shamrocks scoring the first of the points and going up from there. The Shamrocks went on to win the set 25- 13. The second set, however, ended up being more of a challenge for the Shamrocks. St. Clair mixed up their lineup and played some girls who did not play in the first set. This seemed to be a challenge for New Haven. The Shamrocks battled, but St. Clair went on to win the second set with a score of 25-19. At this point in the day, the Shamrocks’ record was 1-3. “ I felt like we should have won the second set, but we kind of fell apart and made costly mistakes,” stated Makenzie Munsinger.
After lunch, the Shamrocks took on the Sullivan Eagles. The Shamrocks held the lead the whole game, only needing one more point to win the set, when the Eagles went on a run and got the score closer. The Shamrocks, however, were able to consistently serve the ball well, which won them the set. Claire Laune said, “Getting my serves over was the highlight of the day.” The Shamrocks won the set 25-20, but went on to lose the second set 13-25.
The Shamrocks’ last game in pool play was against the Bland Bears. At this point in the day, the girls were getting tired, but they did not let that stop them from playing hard. The Shamrocks were able to defeat the Bears 25-14 and 25-11.
Once the Shamrocks’ last game of pool play was finished, the team had to sit and watch the next game, Washington vs. St. Clair. This game determined whether or not the Shamrocks would make into bracket play. In order for New Haven to make bracket play, Washington had to beat St. Clair both sets. St. Clair won the first set, which meant the Shamrocks’ day was over. The girls left the tournament with a record of 4-4. After the game Olivia Williams stated, “I liked bonding with my team because it brings us closer together and allows us to work better as a team on the court.“
The seventh and eighth grade teams will continue playing next week, being at home Monday and Thursday and on the road Tuesday, when the eighth grade team will get a second chance at playing the Sullivan Eagles again.
-Molly Munsinger
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