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The Winhawks seemed like a different team her first match back.
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Winona Senior High's Allison Martin spikes the ball Tuesday during a non-conference match against Eau Claire Memorial at WSHS. (Photo by Katie Derus/Winona Daily News) |
Visiting Eau Claire Memorial handed WSHS its first loss of the season 27-25, 25-17, 25-23 on Tuesday night.
After two four-game wins to start the season, the Winhawks (2-1) trailed most of the match against the Old Abes, amidst an energetic home gymnasium, fresh off the first day of classes at WSHS.
“We couldn’t really get a run on them to pull ahead and get in that comfort zone,” Martin said. “We were always with them or coming from behind.
“Our problem was our defense. At the net, the blocking, balls hitting the floor. At this level, we can’t have that.”
Offensively, the Winhawks’ hitting stats took a big dip from the first two matches, as well.
Senior setter Alli Martin led the Winhawks with 11 assists and four kills to go with 15 digs. Senior Hannah Norman had four kills and 21 digs, and junior Shauna Mahoney three kills and 14 digs.
The Winhawks came within two points of winning the first game and three points of the winning the third.
Trailing 20-14 at one point in Game 1, the Winhawks evened the score 25-25 before consecutive hitting errors awarded the game point to the Old Abes.
The Winhawks controlled Game 3 for much of the action, going up 20-15 and 21-18 at different points before the Old Abes put together one last rally, scoring 10 of the final 13 points for the match.
Still, it was the defense that had the Winhawks most frustrated.
“Our defense is usually our strongest point,” Norman said. “Tonight it was the weakest.”
Eau Claire Memorial’s mascot Old Abe, by the way, was named after a mascot bald eagle from the 8th Wisconsin Voluntary Infantry Regiment in the American Civil War. Old Abe’s contemporary supporters, Eau Claire Memorial backers, had a sizable contingent at Winona’s gym.
“We’ve been having losing seasons up to now,” WSHS senior Bethany Birdsall said. “(Before the match) we were 2-0, we were excited, then this happens. It’s going to be kind of a letdown. Hopefully we can make up for it next game and try to put this behind us.”
