Chargers' VB Advances to Regional Title Match

"If at first you don't succeed, try, try again," is a phrase we have all heard over the years.. It has its origin in a "A Teacher's Manual" written by educator Thomas H. Palmer in the early 19th century.

The "proverb" seems appropriate in describing last night's ACGC volleyball win over Southwest Valley in a regional semifinal played in Corning. The Chargers were a slow to react in the first set and as a result lost to the Timberwolves by a 25-15 score.

"Try, try again" is what Charger fans saw during the remainder of the match as the team won three consecutive sets by scores of 25-21, 25-12, and 25-18. The win puts ACGC in the regional title match which will be played at North PolK High School in Alleman. Its opponent is South Hardin of Eldora which is ranked tenth in class 2A.

The Chargers seemed a step slow in the opening set, as several T'wolves' hits landed on the court floor in the middle of two or three Charger players. A point of speculation: Did the hour and a half bus ride have any effect on the quality of play?

When SWV opened a 5-0 lead in the second set, it appeared the Chargers' season may come to a close in Corning. A kill by Saige O'Brien, who was seeing her first action since a knee injury sidelined her in late August, seemed to spark the Chargers and ACGC went on to score ten consecutive points with Mercedes Richter serving. Although the hosts got within two points on several occasions, the visitors maintained its lead throughout to claim a hard fought 25-21 win. Alaina Bunde's two hand "stuff" ended the set.

SWV seemed dazed as set three began with a six to zero run by the Chargers to open the set. This observer counted eight kills by Chloe Largent during the set which ACGC won by a 25-12 score.

With set three tied at 2-2 and Molly Gettler at the serve, the Chargers took control with five consecutive points including an ace serve by Gettler. ACGC maintained a five to seven point lead throughout the set that ended with a kill by Megan Lemke to give the Chargers a 25-18 set win.

Offensively, Largent came up with 26 kills for the match, while Gettler had 38 assists. Bunde, O'Brien, and Largent led the defense with four blocks each, while Gettler added two to her resume. Largent, Richter, and Jordan Lemke led in digs with 16, 14, and 13 respectively.

The team serving percentage was just short of the desired 90%, as their efficiency was at 88.8%. Individually, the Lemke girls were both 100%, with Jordan going 5 for 5 and Megan going 10 for 10. Also topping 90% was Richter at 93% on 27 of 29 successful serves.

And so now this Charger team which started the season with five consecutive losses, including one to Southwest Valley, is playing in the "game to go" to the state volleyball tournament. A job well done by all concerned!

Set scores:

ACGC 15 25 25 25

SWV 25 21 12 18