Spikers win two of three

The Raiders volleyball team picked up a pair of nonconference wins against Durand and New Richmond last Tuesday before dropping their Big Rivers Conference opener in straight sets Thursday night to Eau Claire Memorial.

Hudson defeated Durand 25-23, 20-25, 15-8 and New Richmond 25-9, 25-15 in a multi-team match Tuesday but was swept by Eau Claire Memorial Thursday, 18-25, 18-25, 12-25.

The Raiders will host the Hudson Invitational Saturday, Sept. 11 beginning at 10 a.m. and resume BRC play Tuesday, Sept. 14, at home at 7:15 p.m. against River Falls.

Last Tuesday the Raiders dropped just one set all night in a pair of wins over Durand and New Richmond. Amber Saathoff led the team in assists and serving aces while Ashley Fall also hit double digits in assists.

“Our middle attackers did a nice job beating the opposition and Stephanie Little and Katrina Zenz led the team in blocks with 13 between them,” head coach Dennis Saathoff said, adding Britni Eberlin was the Raiders next best blocker and was third in points earned off serves.

“Torrie Traynor led all players in defensive digs and in service receptions,” the coach noted.  “Maddie Drewiske played very solid on offense and defense and had a big serving run in the later part of the match against New Richmond that put them away.”

Saathoff said the Raiders struggled in their first conference match of the season two nights later against Eau Claire Memorial.

“Memorial served very well and we struggled to make a good enough pass to get our offense going,” he said. “On the few occasions we did pass well we scored at a good rate, but we were always playing catch up and just could never get over the hump to take a lead.”

Amber Saathoff led the team in aces, assists and kills while Fall accounted for the rest of the team assists and Eberlin was second in kills.  Little, Zenz and Elle Schwartz accounted for the teams’ blocks. 

Hannah Wirth came in to start the second set and led the team in service receptions, digs and was second in aces. 

“It was really a tough night,” Coach Saathoff said. “We never established any momentum, but we had a good practice on Friday so I think the girls are ready to put that performance behind them and get on to better things as we go forward.”

Tags: sports, volleyball, raiders, prep