Sterling Lady Jets earn ‘big’ win

Daily Sun sports

STERLING - Sterling’s Lady Jets came away with a win over Elmwood-Murdock Thursday.

The Lady Jets won in five sets, 25-15, 19-25, 17-25, 25-23 and 15-13.

“This was the biggest win of the year, and I was very proud of our girls,” Sterling coach Stan Karr said. 

Karr said defensive digs helped out in a big way with the Lady Jets having 145 on the night.

A.J. Magill led Sterling with 37 digs, followed closely by Courtney VanGroningen who added 36 to the team’s total.

“Elmwood-Murdock did some things that we haven’t seen all year,” Karr said.

Offensively, VanGroningen led the team with 39 kills.

Sterling vs. Elmwood-Murdock

Ace serves: Sterling (Courtney VanGroningen four, A.J. Magill three). Kills:  Sterling (VanGroningen 39). Set assists: Sterling (Willow Hunt 48). Ace blocks: Sterling (VanGroningen two, Hunt one, Reba Hestermann one). Digs: Sterling (Magill 37, VanGroningen 36, Nicole Wenzl 25, Morgan Shea 24, Hestermann 23).

Meridian triangular

DAYKIN — Daykin Meridian’s Lady Mustangs rode past visiting Deshler and Friend Thursday night in a pair of two-set matches.

The Lady Mustangs defeated Deshler, 25-16, 26-20, and then downed Friend, 25-15, 25-14.

In the night’s other match, Deshler defeated Friend, 22-25, 25-20, 25-22.

A strong offensive performance keyed the Meridian victories, according to coach Linda Johnson.

“When we pass well, we’re able to run our quick offense,” Johnson said. “When we pass well, we have a lot more options.”

The return of setter Taylor Johnson from the injured list has helped the Lady Mustangs come together, Johnson said.

Taylor Johnson had been out since the start of the season and just returned the first of October.

“Taylor does a good job of mixing up the offense,” Johnson said.

Johnson said the Lady Mustangs were also very aggressive at the net.

“Brooke (Hofstetter) and Sondra (McCord) are getting their hands on a lot of balls,” Johnson said.

Against Deshler, Hofstetter led the Meridian offense with 11 kills, while Johnson had 24 set assists.

Amber Hansel led in ace serves with three and McCord in ace blocks with five.

In the Friend match, Brandie Sykes had a team-high eight kills, while Johnson had 12 assists.

McCord had two ace blocks and Johnson had two ace serves.

Next action for Meridian, 14-2, will be Tuesday at Sutton.

Meridian vs. Deshler

Ace serves: Meridian (Allison Johnson one, Amber Hansel three, Taylor Johnson one). Kills: Meridian (Brooke Hofstetter 11, Brandie Sykes five, Allison Johnson five, Amber Hansel five). Set assists: Meridian (Taylor Johnson 24). Ace blocks: Meridian (Sondra McCord five). Digs: Meridian (NA).

Meridian vs. Friend

Ace serves: Meridian (Taylor Johnson two). Kills: Meridian (Hofstetter eight, Allison Johnson five, Amber Hansel three, Hofstetter two). Set assists: Meridian (Taylor Johnson 12). Ace blocks: Meridian (McCord two). Digs: Meridian (NA).