Hornettes Lose Thriller To Murphysboro
The Hornettes volleyball team began their season this past week with a match against Murphysboro on August 25, before playing in the conference tournament on August 27. The Hornets struggled this week, finishing the week 2-4.
The Hornets started the season with their home opener against Murphysboro on August 25. A closely contested matchup the Hornettes fell in two straight games. Murphysboro won the first game 25-21, and won the second game 26-24. The first game was very closely contested, as neither team gained an advantage in the early going. Murphysboro was able to extend their lead as high as six, but Nashville would come back behind the serve of Karly Stanowski. The Hornettes cut the Murphysboro lead to one, but could not tie the game, as Murphysboro pulled away for a 25-21 victory. In the second game, the Hornettes held the lead for the majority of the contest, holding a seven point lead at one point in the contest. The Hornettes could not hold the lead as Murphysboro finally took a 23-22 lead for their first lead of the second game. Nashville would fight off match point four times before Murphysboro finally won the game 26-24.
The Hornettes were led in the matchup by senior Janie Holle with eight kills in the match. Mackenzie McFeron added seven kills, followed by Jenna Harris with six kills in the loss. McFeron led the Hornettes in service points in the match with nine, just ahead of Stanowski with eight service points. Junior Abby Kempfer led the team with three blocks, while McFeron led the team with twelve assists.
The Hornettes then began the conference tournament, which was held at Herrin High School, on August 27. Nashville's first match was against Harrisburg, and the Hornettes got their first win of the season in a tough three-game match. After winning the first game 26-24, the Hornettes would drop the second game, 25-11, before winning the third game 15-11. Holle again led the team with eight kills in the match, followed by Harris with five kills. Kempfer added three kills in the win. McFeron led the team in both assists and service points in the match. Paige Kasten led the team with 10 digs in the match, followed by Holle with 7. Abby Grabowski added nine assists in the win for the Hornettes.
The Hornettes next match was against Sparta. Nashville won the match in two straight games, 25-15, 25-20. Bailey Melton led the Hornets with four kills, followed by Harris, Holle, Stanowski, and Kempfer who all generated kills in the match. Holle led the team in service points in the match with eight, followed by Harris and Stanowski who each had six. Kasten again led the team with 10 digs.
The Hornettes dropped their second match of the year to Massac County in their next contest. The Hornettes came away with a win in the first game 25-21, but dropped the next two games 25-20, and 15-12. The Hornettes were led by McFeron who led the team with seven kills, one block, ten assists, and tied with Harris for the team lead in service points with six. Holle was second with six kills, followed by Kempfer with five. Grabowski finished with six assists in the loss.
The Hornettes dropped their second match of the season to Murphsyboro in their next contest. The Hornettes lost both games 25-12 and 25-21. Holle led the team with five kills, followed by Harris and McFeron who each had three. Kempfer led the team with four blocks, followed by Melton with two. Kasten again led the team with 15 digs in the lost, followed by Kylie Kozuszek with four.
The final game of the tournament came against Benton, for fifth place. The Hornettes could not come away with the win, losing both games by a score of 25-20. The Hornettes finished the conference tournament in sixth place. Holle led the team with seven kills, followed by McFeron, Kempfer, and Melton who each had four. Grabowski led the team with eleven assists, followed by Kozuszek with eight. Kasten and Kozuszek tied for the team led with five service points in the loss.
Sophomore Jenna Harris slams a spike towards the Murphysboro defenders during the Hornettes thrilling match against the Murphysboro Red Devils to open their season on August 25.
