Carrollton defeats Jersey in two games
BY AARON OTTIS
SPORTS EDITOR
CARROLLTON – The Lady Hawks used a quick run to end the first game, then made short work of the Lady Panthers in the second game, as Carrollton defeated Jersey 25-16, 25-9 in the non-conference season opener for both schools.

“The first game, we did okay, but in the second game we were just flat,” said Jersey head coach Bob Siemer. “We couldn’t return a serve, so they would get four or five points, then we would get the ball back, get one point and give it back. We have to be able to serve it and be able to play, and get the ball back over the net and be able to play.”

Carrollton jumped to a quick lead in the first game, pushing the score to 8-4 before Jersey broke their momentum. The Lady Hawks then pushed the margin to 16-6 before senior outside hitter Kelsey Thomas took the Jersey serve and helped orchestrate a 6-0 run for the Lady Panthers.

Jersey scored another four points with senior outside hitter Shelby Woelfel on serve before Carrollton eventually closed out the game at 25-16.

In Game Two, Carrollton dominated from the onset, with Jersey struggling to break the pace and gain control of the serve. Jersey opened the second game with a 2-0 run, but Carrollton then scored six points before Siemer called a timeout to regroup his players.

Carrollton quickly moved their score into the 20s, with most of Jersey’s points coming on the Lady Hawks’ mistakes. Carrollton took the game 25-9.

“If we play with this team, we are alright,” Siemer said. “We can’t give up five or six points in a row….”

Siemer said Tuesday’s match exposed some problems that have to be addressed. Some of the girls are still learning their positions, while others are doing some things right but forgetting other aspects of the game.

“We’re a work in progress,” Siemer explained. “We’ve got girls bumping the ball and just standing there and watching it, while the setter is trying to fight through and get to the ball. We have to bump it, get out of the way and get to where we are supposed to hit the ball next. A couple of times we got a nice dig, but we set the ball ten feet from the net and can’t finish the play. If we get the ball within three feet of the net, we will be much better.”

Kelsey Thomas led the team with 7 points, and Shelby Woelfel had nine. Thomas also posted five digs.

The junior varsity team lost 25-21, 25-23, while the freshman lost 25-18, 25-12.

Jersey is now 0-1 across the board, and will host Alton on Wednesday and Jacksonville on Thursday.

Shelby Woelfel blocks a hard hit ball during the Lady Panthers loss on Tuesday. Aaron Ottis/thejcstar.com