SPORTS

August 23, 2011

Milan Lady Indian home volleyball opener is "not the desired outcome"

Gary Franklin, Sports Editor

The Milan Lady Indian volleyball teams faced a three game venue during their first home match of the season against the Batesville Lady Bulldogs on Thursday, August 18.
In a very warm gym, with the AC off, the tribe fell in all three matches, beginning with the 5 p.m. freshman contest, but not without a fight.
Freshman team
The Lady Indian freshman team of 2011 includes: Sydney Ross, Karlie Prozanski, Lindsey Prolanski, Emily Fuller, Grace Herzog, Savannah Kern, Kelli Smith, Maggie Roberts, Teresa Jenkins, Kelsey Holbert, Kayla Clippert, Darian Owens, Katlyn Ratliff and Kelsey Bode along with Coach Brianna Kaushar.
Freshman Match
The Lady Indian freshmen got off to a rough start with the visiting Lady Bulldogs dominating to a score of 20-4 before relenting even a little. As play continued, the Lady Indians managed to capture 11 points before the Lady Dogs won, 25-11.
Game two was a horse of a different color, with the Lady Indians fighting desperately, but falling in successive games at games end, 24-25.
The Lady Indians led 8-2, met ties at nine, 10 and 12 before the Dogs went on to a 19-13 edge. Unwilling to fold, the tribe fought back to knot the game at 24 before conceding the last point for the best of three game match at 24-25
JV team
The Lady Indian JV team of 2011 behind veteran Coach Joanne Siebert includes: Kayla Peetz, Alexis Bergman, Brooklyn Honnert, Shelby Tippitt, Staci Ollman, Whitney Couch, Cheyenne Kern, Autumn Bowling, Rachel Smith, Hannah Lohrum, Brianna Campos, Alexis Owens, Dakota Stites, Darian Owens, Sydney Ross and Lindsey Prozanski.
JV Match
The Lady Indian JV met ties at three and five in their first game of the set, before falling 14-25 to the Lady Bulldogs.
Following a 1-1 tie, game two found a more promising start for the tribe as Rachel Smith led the service to 6-2 lead. However by nine, the game was knotted once again.
A tie at 10 and 11 led to a Lady Bulldog comeback to shut Milan's door at 25-16 for a back to back best of three game match win.
'10 Lady Indians honored
The presentation of certificates and recognition of last year's Milan Lady Indian volleyball teams earning of the American Volleyball Coaches Association Academic Award was made prior to the varsity match.
Further information about award is included with team photo, top right.
Varsity team
Coached by veteran Milan Lady Indian Varsity Coach Terry Wullenweber, the 2011 Milan Lady Indian varsity volleyball team members include: Shelby Ross, Maria Voss, Koehler Morrisey, Kayla Peetz, Brooklyn Honnert, Shelby Tippitt, Marki Smith, Lydia Ertel, Jessica Strassell, Ashley Ahaus and Hannah Lohrum.
Varsity Match
In opening the set, Batesville lost first service, giving the Lady Indians a 1-0 advantage. An ensuing tie at one led to the Dog's doubling Milan's score at 10-5, from which they pressed on to a win by the final score of 25-13 in the varsity's opening game.
Second game action in the varsity match began similarly with Batesville earning the first point and Milan knotting the game at one.
The Lady Bulldogs and Lady Indians tied at three and before senior Lady Indian Lydia Etel served the tribe to tie at five and a 9-6 edge. At 17-9, Batesville used a timeout,thenleading by three at 20-17 Milan used a timeout before falling to a one point edge at 20-19. That's when coach Wullenweber reminded his team the importance of "playing to win, not to keep from losing." Milan captured the victory to knot the match a game each, 25-23.
Ties at one, five and 14 kept contention high during game three. However, a devastating call against the tribe cut their intentions short at the 16-20 juncture. A second blow allowed the Lady Bulldogs to pull off a second game win at 25-17 and lead the match two games to one.
In what would be the final game of the match, a tie at one was the closest Milan would get to the Lady Bulldogs. The Lady Bulldogs led by seven at 9-2 and nine at 15-6 before closing the deal three games to one by a six point advantage at 25-19 over the Lady Indians.

Pictured above, Varsity Lady Indian Head Coach Terry Wullenweber checks his teams alignment as senior Lydia Ertel prepares to enter the game for the first play vs the Batesville Lady Bulldogs.