By NATE BEIER | For the County Line
Keeping pace with league-leading Hillsboro was on the minds of the Royall volleyball players as they faced off with Cashton in Cashton on Thursday, Oct. 10.
The Panthers entered the night just a single game behind the Tigers, and were looking at setting up a chance to claim a share of this year’s conference trophy in the final game of the year. However, Cashton made changes to Royall’s plans by earning a 3–2 win and giving Royall a second loss in league play.
Royall won the opening set 25–18, but fell 18–25 in the second. The third set went the Panthers’ way 25–22, but they couldn’t close out the match, as Cashton took the fourth set 25–21. The final game was close, but the home team held on for a 15–13 win. Royall defeated Cashton in their first meeting 3–2.
Emma Gruen, who was injured in the loss, still finished with 19 kills to lead Royall. Gruen also had 18 digs.
Cheyenne Harris added 12 kills; Jessica Brueggeman, nine; and Veronica Mertins, eight.
Harris added some firepower by tallying six serving aces against the Eagles, and Molly Crneckiy helped with 43 assists.
Mertins finished with five blocks on the night to lead the front-row defense. Savannah DeWitt had 34 digs, and Harris had 15.
The loss keeps Royall in second place alone yet. Cashton trails with three losses.
Royall will finish the regular season by hosting Hillsboro tonight (Thursday). The Tigers are 19–7 overall and 12–0 in league play. Royall is 22–6 overall and 10–2 in Scenic Bluffs action.
Royall 3, Wonewoc-Center 1
The Wolves opened last week’s match at Cashton with a 25–22 win. The game, which was the first of a league doubleheader, then flipped in Royall’s favor, as it held Wonewoc-Center to 7, 13, and 18 points to lock up the win.
Gruen led Royall with 12 kills, but Bruggeman added 10; and Harris, nine. The team tallied 16 serving aces, led by Ally Friedl with six. Molly Crneckiy finished with 30 assists.
Kaylin Gruen and Veronica Mertins each had three blocks in the win. DeWitt’s 20 digs led all passers.
Royall 3, Brookwood 0
The Panthers landed 24 total kills and held Brookwood to just eight in a 3–0 win on Tuesday, Oct. 8, in Cashton in the second game of a doubleheader.
Emma Gruen paced Royall with 12 kills, whileJessica Brueggeman had five. Crneckiy ended with 21 assists.
On the defensive side, DeWitt recorded 10 digs. Mertins and Crneckiy each had two blocks.