Spring Grove 3, Southland 0
25-12, 25-13, 25-5
Spring Grove scored the first seven points of the match and never trailed in any of the three sets while dominating visiting Southland in the volleyball season opener for both teams. Senior setter Rachel Normann served eight aces and assisted on 22 of the Lions’ 25 kills. Addyson McHugh outscored all the Rebel hitters combined, scoring with 10 kills on only 16 attacks with no errors. The All-SEC hitter also contributing to five scoring blocks (4 solo, 1 assist).
Photo by Lee Epps
Nine Lions were credited with kills, while the Rebels managed only nine kills total. Four Lions contributed to 14 ace serves, while the Rebels served three aces.
The Lion defense was rarely challenged, but All-SEC libero Maggie Lile had 11 digs, stopping about one of every three Rebel attacks that were not blocked or out of bounds. Four front-row Lions contributed to nine scoring blocks. The visitors did not score with a block.
It was a disappointing start for Southland, which was under water in every statistical category with more hitting errors (17) than kills (9) and three times as many serving errors (9) as aces (3). Spring Grove served 90% with 14 aces, including five consecutive aces served by Normann and a four-ace run by Danika Holty.
The Lions roared out to a 7-0 start in set one (25-12), scored the first three points in the second set (25-13 and the first two points of the final set (25-5). Southland trailed throughout every set and needed four Lion errors to put five points on the board in the finale.
It was the teams’ first meeting in 11 years; the Lions lead the all-time series 9 to 3. They now expect play at least once a year, since the Rebels have rejoined the Southeast Conference after a 19-year absence.
Match Totals
Earned Points: SG 48 (25K, 9B, 14A), SHS 12 (9K, 3A)
Total Errors: SG 18, SHS 34
Attacks: SG 53, SHS 54
Kills/Errors: SG 25/11, SHS 9/17
Hitting Efficiency: SG 22%, SHS 0%
Aces/Errors: SG 14/7, SHS 3/9
Digs: SG 24, SHS 25
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Lion INDIVIDUALS
Digs 24: Maggie Lile 11, Addyson McHugh 4, Katelyn Kraus 2, Lydia Solum 2, Danika Holty 2, Rachel Normann 1, Julia Halverson 1, McKenzie Fisch 1
Set Assists 25: Rachel Normann 22, Maggie Lile 2, Addyson McHugh 1
Kills 25: Addyson McHugh 10, Lydia Solum 5, Julia Halverson 3, Brielle Neeley 2, Peyton Thompson 1, Rachel Normann 1, Maggie Lile 1, Madilyn Ostern 1, Katelyn Kraus 1
Hitting efficiency (K-E/att) leaders: Brielle Neeley 67%, Addyson McHugh 63%, Julia Halverson 17%, Lydia Solum 15%
Serving 97%:
Julia Halverson 100% (13-13),
Maggie Lile 100% (8-8),
McKenzie Fisch 100% (3-3)
Peyton Thompson 100% (2-2)
Sydney Holland 100% (1-1)
Addyson McHugh 94% (17-18)
Rachel Normann 86% (12-14)
Danika Holty 78% 7-9)
Lydia Solum 60% (3-5)
Service Aces 14: Rachel Normann 8, Danika Holty 4, Julia Halverson 1, Maggie Lile 1
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Spring Grove Volleyball 2021 (varsity approximately 7:15 p.m.)
1-0 (1-0 SEC)
W vs. Southland 3-0
Tues. Aug. 31 at Lyle/Pacelli
Tues. Sept. 7 at Schaeffer Academy
Thur. Sept. 9 Lanesboro
Tues. Sept. 14 at Houston
Thur. Sept. 16 Glenville-Emmons
Sat. Sept. 18 at Waukon Tournament 9 a. m.
Mon. Sept. 20 at Mabel-Canton
Thur. Sept. 23 at Grand Meadow
Sat. Sept. 25 at Dassel-Cokato Tournament 8 a. m.
Thur. Sept. 30 Schaeffer Academy
Tues. Oct. 5 at Lanesboro
Thur. Oct. 7 Kingsland
Tues. Oct. 12 Houston
Thur. Oct. 14 Mabel-Canton
Sat. Oct. 16 at Goodhue Tournament 9 a.m.
Mon. Oct. 18 at LeRoy-Ostrander