By NATE BEIER | For the County Line
Royall volleyball improved to 5–3 overall, but more importantly, it started league play 1–0 after a narrow 3–2 win over Bangor on Tuesday night in Elroy.
The Panthers won 25–21 in game one, but Bangor responded with a 25–23 win. The two teams continued to trade wins, with Royall taking the third set 25–18 before the Cardinals took the fourth 25–21. The decisive set ended up 15–11 in favor of the home team.
McKenzie Baeseman recorded 33 kills and a pair of blocks in the win. Also, Tais Gueye piled up 27 assists, and Emma Herek added 12 digs. Emily Olson served up five aces in the victory.
Wisconsin Dells’ Friendship Tournament
The Panthers’ volleyball team started the season off with a 4–3 mark following the annual Friendship Tournament in Wisconsin Dells on Aug. 25–26.
Pewaukee dropped the Panthers 2–0 in the season opener.
Then Royall defeated Clintonville 26–24 and 25–8. Baeseman had 13 kills; Herek, 11 digs; and Gueye, nine assists.
Things continued to roll, as the second game featured a 2–0 win over Dodgeland (25–15, 25–17). Royall bested Hustisford, 25–13, 25–13, to go to 3–0.
Holmen ended Royall’s win streak in the first game of the second day of play 2–0. Wittenberg-Birnamwood also took a 2–0 win from the Panthers before Royall’s luck changed with a 2–0 victory over Clintonville. Emily Olson recorded seven digs, two aces and a block in the victory.