Card volleyball: Alexandria uses depth to down Rocori

• Noetzelman

Alexandria senior Allie Noetzelman had a match-high 19 assists in the Cardinals’ 3-1 win over Rocori in CLC play last Thursday. (Echo Press photo by Eric Morken)

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The Cardinals volleyball team rebounded from its opening loss against Marshall last Tuesday by winning the first conference match of the season in a 3-1 decision against Rocori.

Alexandria came out firing from the get-go as it took sets one and two 25-16 and 25-13. The Spartans were able to bounce back with a 25-20 win in the third before the Cardinals put things away 25-22 in the fourth.

Junior Amanda Christianson led the team in kills for the second time in as many games with 11. Emily Kuennen added 10 kills herself to form a solid one-two punch at the net.

“They are a solid pair on the right side,” head coach Becky Schlichting said. “Both are strong blockers and hard hitters. As they continue to grow as players and become more consistent, we look to see them putting the ball away for us often.”

Jenni Wild came back from an injury scare on her ankle in the season opener to finish with seven kills against the Spartans. Allie Noetzelman and Nicole Canavati shared the setting duties and finished with 19 and 15 assists, respectively.

Alexandria’s defense didn’t allow Rocori to gain much momentum at the net. Sophomore Morgan Koshiol led the Spartans with six kills, but the Cardinals finished with 14 blocks. Tara LaBrassuer had 5.5 of those.

Shanee’ Herd led Alexandria with 17 digs, while Wild and Natalie Watkins had 14 and 11, respectively.

“It was great to see the girls get out there and be rewarded for their hard work with a fantastic win,” Schlichting said.

MATCH STATISTICS

Alexandria 3, Rocori 1

(25-16, 25-13, 20-25, 25-14)

ALEXANDRIA – Adrianne Wensman – 2 aces, 1 kill, 1.5 blocks, 6 digs; Noetzelman – 1 ace, 1 kill, 19 assists, 8 digs; Christianson – 11 kills, 3.5 blocks, 2 assists; Amanda Haack – 2 assists; Dani Strater – 3 aces, 2 digs; Kuennen – 10 kills, 1.5 blocks, 1 dig; Wild – 7 kills, 1 block, 14 digs; Jess Burns – 3 kills, 1 block, 1 assist; Liz Schultz – 1 dig; Watkins – 1 ace, 6 kills, 11 digs; Canavati – 4 aces, 15 assists, 7 digs; Herd – 1 ace, 1 kill, 17 digs; Tara LaBrassuer – 2 kills, 5.5 blocks

Tags: alexandria sports, sports, cardinals, volleyball