Omaha Marian deals Hawks 1st defeat

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BY RON POWELL / Lincoln Journal Star

The Omaha Marian volleyball team is without a starting middle blocker, but you couldn’t tell from its blocking statistics.

The Class A No. 4 Crusaders registered 10 ace blocks in earning  a 25-17, 25-18 victory against third-ranked and previously unbeaten Lincoln Southwest during pool play of the 16-team, two-day Lincoln Public Schools Classic on Friday at Southwest.

Sophomore Andrea Spaustat had five ace blocks in the win against the Silver Hawks, a victory that capped off a 3-0 day for the Crusaders (11-1). Spaustat moved to middle blocker from the right side after Maggie Emodi, another sophomore, recently went down with a knee injury.

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“We played solid defense tonight because our block was really good,’’ Marian coach Rochelle Rohlfs said. “With Southwest, when they get rolling offensively, they have a lot of girls who can put the ball down. Our block took away that momentum.

“We’ve had to make some adjustments because of the injury, but it will diversify our offense because our kids have to learn different hitting zones.”

Lisa Greisch paced the Crusaders’ offense against Southwest with seven kills. Standout freshman setter Lauren Sieckmann put up 10 assists to go along with four ace serves and three kills.

Marian was the first rated team Southwest (11-1) has faced this season, and Silver Hawk coach Mary Schropfer said her team had difficulty handling the transition.

“We have a number of kids who are first-year varsity players, and this was something new to them,’’ said Schropfer, whose team survived a five-set challenge at Millard West on Thursday. “It was good for us to see that level of play. It lets our kids know where we need to improve.”

Junior Ashley Leitner led Southwest with eight kills and three ace blocks. Stacie Hansen and fellow middle Whitney Mason smashed four kills apiece, Stephanie Daffer put up 19 assists and libero Kaleigh Anderson had 14 digs for the Hawks.

Southwest was one of three Lincoln teams to advance to the eight-team Gold bracket Saturday at Southeast. Class B No. 1 Lincoln Pius X (11-0) won its pool at Lincoln Southeast by defeating Class A No. 7 Lincoln East (26-24, 25-19), Class A No. 8 Lincoln Southeast (21-25, 25-22, 25-9) and Lincoln Northeast (25-8, 25-13). Top-ranked Papillion-La Vista (10-0) and second-ranked Grand Island (10-0) also won their respective pools by going 3-0.

Natalie Braun had 38 kills in Pius X’s three wins Friday, while the opposite outside hitter, Kayla Gaden, terminated 21 times. Super-State setter Lauren Cook had 81 assists, four ace serves, 15 digs and 11 kills for the Thunderbolts.

Lincoln East (9-5) went 2-1 Friday. The Spartans pulled out a 25-27, 25-22, 25-21 victory against Southeast in one of the most competitive matches of the day. Natalie Ebke ripped 11 kills and four ace serves and teammate Nicole Gingery blasted 10 kills.

Reach Ron Powell at 473-7437 or rpowell@journalstar.com..