Mustangs edge Cathedral, 3-1

By DOUG MONSON

Journal Sports Writer

NEW ULM -- New Ulm Cathedral proved at times they could play with conference powerhouse Buffalo Lake-Hector, but they eventually fell in four. Despite the Greyhounds aggressive defense, BLH took the match 15-12, 15-0, 14-16 and 15-1.

Freshman middle hitter, Toni Hall provided valuable time for the Greyhounds up front, and Nikki Fischer kept the Greyhounds alive in game three with solid defense and hustle.

Greyhound coach Karan Whitmyer said Fischer's hustle and leadership are important for a talented Greyhounds team that proved they could play with the best of them.

"When you run a 5-1 like we do, she's our quarterback," Whitmyer said. "She really has stepped up her game this year."

Fischer finished the night with three ace tips and 20 set assists, but it was her willingness to sacrifice her body for the tough hit that kept the Greyhounds from folding to a late game rally by BLH.

In game three, the Greyhounds took an early 6-2 lead behind consistent serving from Hall and Julie Seifert. Seifert finished the night 13 of 13 serving with seven service points.

Seifert also came up big on the front line, teaming with Katie Gieseke to provide several key blocks that stifled a BLH run.

With a 10-5 lead however, BLH freshman outside hitter, Leah Ashburn, came through with a six-point scoring run to capture BLH's first lead of the game.

But Gieseke stepped up with a key block that regained control for the Greyhounds. The Greyhounds eventually recaptured the lead and finished the game on a service ace from junior Kristen Dietz.

"We proved we could play with the best of them," Whitmyer said. "(We proved) we're not gonna sit back and let you go home with a sweep."

Hall said she thought the team played really well considering they were playing a team as good as BLH. Hall continued to move into a more active role on the team, despite being the only freshman to play for the Greyhounds this year.

"It's interesting. I've never played this hard before," Hall said when talking about playing against a team such as BLH. "It's really nerve racking."

Hall, who finished the night with five ace hits, said she is improving every day and is getting better at hitting, but she admits she still struggles with the back row.

Liesl Genelin led the Greyhounds with six ace hits and Gieseke added four ace hits for an inconsistent Greyhound offense.

Fischer said she thought the team played well and that the defense played well. She said if the offense starts to find some success, the greyhounds could be very good.

"I think if we play like we did tonight, if we come out confident, we'll be all right," Fischer said. "We just need to do the little things."

The loss drops the Greyhounds to 3-3 on the year, and 2-1 in the Tomahawk Conference. BLH improves to 5-3.

BLH coach Susan Alstrom said she thought her girls played well, but she still wants them to hit more.

"We played well at times," Alstrom said. "I thought New Ulm played great defense tonight."

In B squad action, the Greyhounds won 15-11 and 15-9. The C squad lost in three 1-11, 11-6 and 4-11,

BLH plays at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 16. at Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City The Greyhounds are on the road for a 7:30 p.m. game Sept. 17 at Wabasso.