Pirates put much-needed notch in the win column at Spencer

GILMAN VOLLEYBALL

The Gilman Pirates picked up a muchneeded win Tuesday as they look to build momentum heading into the meat of their Eastern Cloverbelt Conference schedule.

The Pirates swept host Spencer 3-0 to even their league record at 1-1 and snap a four-match losing streak overall that included three defeats to top-notch nonconference competition from the Marawood North and a disappointing five-set loss to Colby that opened league play a week earlier.

Spencer, who was also swept by Loyal on Monday, fell to 0-3 in the ECC standings.

Gilman was clearly the dominant team in the first two sets. Abby Chaplinski served the Pirates to a 4-0 lead in the opener, which grew to 9-1 after a couple of aces from Gracie Tallier. Tatum Weir got into an early groove at the net with a kill and a tip, Tallier got a kill and Chaplinski was able to just punch a ball over the net for a point and a 15-5 lead. The lead got as high as 12 at 19-7 before the Rockets made a little run to get back within eight. A block kill from Weir, an ace from Kenlyn Kroeplin, a Weir kill and a Danielle Mann ace capped Gilman’s 25-15 opening win.

Game two was never in doubt. With Kroeplin serving, the Pirates got out to a quick 6-0 lead. With Weir serving the Pirates went on a 12-point run that gave them a 20-3 lead. Tshiya Keepers made things happen in the middle during that run with a kill, a tip and a block kill. The Pirates won the set 25-10.

The Rockets found momentum for the first time in the match in game three and very nearly extended the match to a fourth game. Gilman led 6-4, but a 6-0 run by the Rockets put them in front 10-6. Gilman mistakes fueled another Rocket run that made it 18-12, but that was where the Pirates regrouped and clawed their way back.

A couple of Spencer errors, a Weir ace and a Tallier kill helped close the gap to 18-17. The Rockets scored the next three points, but mistakes and three Chaplinski aces put Gilman ahead 22-21. The teams traded points until Keepers was able to tip down a free ball at the net to seal it at 25-23.

Chaplinski had eight aces and 17 assists in the win. Weir had eight kills and Tallier had seven. Tallier added three aces, while Mann and Kroeplin had two each. Weir had three block kills, while Mann and Keepers had two each. Tallier had 12 digs. Chaplinski and Kroeplin had six apiece. Ellie Drier had five.

The Pirates host Owen-Withee tonight, Thursday, before taking their annual visit to the Medford Invitational on Saturday. The stretch of run of league play starts Tuesday with a challenging trip to Neillsville. Gilman is at Loyal on Sept. 29.

Prentice 3, Gilman 0

On Thursday, the Pirates finished the match playing their best volleyball of the night, but it came a little too late to steal the third set and extend the match in a 3-0 loss to visiting Prentice.

It was Gilman’s second loss of the season to the Buccaneers, who were ranked third in last week’s Division 4 state poll and are ranked sixth this week.

All three sets were close, but Prentice made key runs in each one to create enough separation to win them all.

Gilman led the first set 12-9 after a mini 4-1 run that included a couple of winning attacks from Tallier and one from Keepers. Tallier got a touch to make it 13-10, but Prentice turned the game around with a 12-2 run that gave it a 22-15 edge. The Pirates got within 24-21, but Prentice got the final point to draw first blood.

Prentice scored the first three points and led from start to finish in the second set. Gilman got within 5-3 on a Mann ace and 6-4 on a Tallier kill. But before long Prentice led 14-7. Gilman got within 15-11 on a Weir block and 16-12 on a powerful Weir kill off a Chaplinski assist. A Prentice error on the next point cut the deficit to three, but that was as close as Gilman could get as Prentice took the set 25-20.

Prentice jumped ahead 4-0 in set three, then Gilman scored five straight to take the lead on a Tallier back-row attack off a back set from Keepers. Prentice answered with a 4-0 run. Gilman countered with a 9-3 spurt, led by Weir’s strong play at the net and a mini serving run from Mann, to go up 14-11.

Prentice took command again with a 9-1 run that put the Bucs up 20-15. They went to one of their top players, Kali Heikkinen for a couple of kills as they inched closer to victory at 23-17 when Gilman made one last push.

Claire Drier’s tip started the rally. Weir put down a big block off a back-row attack from Ayriel Foster and Mann got an easy tap at the net from the left side off a bad Prentice pass to make it 23-20. The Pirates got the next point as well before a Carissa Harding block gave Prentice match point at 24-21.

Mann’s pass to Chaplinski set up her assist to Weir for a kill. Kroeplin’s serve led to a bad pass and free ball that Weir smacked down to make it 24-23. Weir appeared to have the tying kill after a long rally, but a violation was called on Gilman to end the set at 25-23 and the match.

Weir and Tallier were the kill leaders with 12 and 11 respectively. Claire Drier had four. Chaplinski had 25 assists. Weir had five blocks, Claire Drier had four and Keepers had three. Tallier (15), Ellie Drier (14), Chaplinski (13), Kroeplin (nine) and Kayleigh James (eight) were the dig leaders.