Colby comeback falls short

The Colby Hornets volleyball program has come a long from the start of the season, and while wins have been hard to come by, the Hornets are getting better with each match.

“The girls have grown so much with their volleyball IQ, and are picking up what the defense is doing,” first year head coach Hannah Engevold said after the Hornets’ match with Edgar on Tuesday, Aug. 31.

Colby fell behind 20-9 in the first set, but put on a furious rally to pull within a handful of points before dropping that first set 25-19.

“Going into the second set, I told the girls to stay disciplined and trust one another, to use their knowledge of the game and find a place to score,” Engevold said.

The game plan worked to perfection as Colby raced out to a quick lead, and held on for a 25-18 second set victory. Engevold was especially pleased with the net play in the second set.

“The net play really exploded at the end of the first and into the second. Lydia Decker was finding the hitter and getting high hands for some great blocks.”

The Wildcats quickly regrouped in the third set, and began to impose their will at net, and jumped out to a 5-0 lead. Colby clawed back to take a 15-14 lead, but could not hold on, dropping the third 25-17.

Both teams went back and forth in the fourth, tying things up at 10-10. Colby took a 11-10 lead, and kept the set close, but Edgar’s height and hitting paved the way for a 25-18 decision that drops Colby to 1-6 on the year.

Nonetheless, Engevold saw plenty to build on, and a lot of great individual performances.

Kennedy Bilz served a team high three aces, Sophia Fontoira and Kya Viegut had nine and eight kills, and Lydia Decker added four blocks.

“Overall, I am so pleased with how Colby played,” Engevold said after the match. “The girls were excited, and we didn’t let Edgar’s past seasons affect how we were going to play this game.”