Cambria Skaggs, of North Union, leaps to hit a ball between the blocking arms of a pair of Bishop Ready blockers Thursday. The Lady Cats won 3-0 to advance to the district finals Saturday. (Journal-Tribune photo by Sam Dillon)
The North Union volleyball team has been on the hunt for a district title for the past two years.
The Lady Cats advanced to the Division III Central District semifinals in 2018 and 2019, but have never been able to move beyond that point.
Thursday’s 3-0 (25-11, 25-11, 25-13) win over Bishop Ready has pushed the No. 1- seeded Lady Cats into new territory.
NU has been executing ever since its one and only loss of the season to Jonathan Alder back on Aug. 27.
Thursday’s contest was no different, according to head coach Alexis Maenz.
“We rose to the occasion,” shesaid. “Bishop Ready is a great team. The score didn’t really do their talent justice.”
To push the Cats over the tournament hump, Maenz said her team stuck to what has been working for them all season.
“We watched film and prepared for them,” she said. “We knew they were going to fight the entire time.”
The Silver Knights lived up to the challenge.
Bishop Ready pushed the Lady Cats during the open set and kept the ball alive by placing hits to empty spots.
NU, however, was able to return the ball to keep the volley alive.
Defense has been something Maenz has been working with the girls all season.
“Our biggest focus has been our defense,” she said. “We have strong hitters up front, but now we are honing in oir defense to make good reads, move our feet and keep the ball alive at whatever cost.”
The defense came through in the first set as the back row of Emma Lindsey, Kayla Sedgwick and Laney Converse did their part to keep the ball in play.
NU’s hitters capitalized on the opportunities to pick up points.
Kaitlyn DeLauter gave the Lady Cats a set one win with a strong hit down the line.
Maenz said she spoke to the team about setting their pace to start the match.
“The girls came out here wanted to set the tone early,” she said.
“They did with their energy and we never lost momentum.”
Set two saw North Union run out to an early 6-0 lead.
Bishop Ready, though, was not ready to give up.
The Silver Knights pushed to even the score at 8-8.
The Lady Cats regained their composure and momentum with solid hitting by Journey Blevins.
NU’s front line continued its strong play through the middle of the second set.
Jordyn Hoffman took the Cats to 19-10 with a solid block.
North Union held on to a solid lead for their second set win.
Maenz said the Lady Cats regaining their composure and pushing forward to win the second set is what has driven the team all year.
“We bring a confidence to the court,” she said. “We know how we can play.
“We do our job and the rest will take care of itself.”
Blevins started the third set as the middle hitter and NU didn’t waste utilizing her. She scored seven of the Lady Cats’ opening eight points.
DeLauter added additional markers push NU to a 9-0 lead.
“The last set was serves and being smart up front,” Maenz said. “Journey had three blockers on her at times, so she had to be smart at placing the ball where they weren’t.
“They expected her to get up and hit it hard and sometimes she would tip over.”
North Union continued its drive to victory by holding a 19-13 lead.
Grace Brandt stepped up late in the set with several blocks and hits for four points to seal the sweep.
The Lady Cats (21-1) will move into the district finals against No. 5-seeded Liberty Union.
Maenz said this is exactly where the team has wanted to be since August.
“From day one, the girls came in and had the goal of getting to this point,” she said. “They wanted to do something special in North Union history.”
Now it just comes down to execution, according to the coach.
“They are the ones who have to go out there and play,” she said. “I can give them knowledge and guide them on the best possible way to challenge an opponent.
“However, they have to go out and execute.”
The district championship game is scheduled to be played at North Union High School at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.