LLCC was upended in four close sets by D-1 ranked Mineral Area Friday night at Cass Gym. The Loggers alternated points most of the way through the first set, save for a critical three point defensive lapse which proved most of the difference in a 23-25 loss. The Loggers battled back to win the second set 25-23 behind tough serving from Addie Patton and Kaylee Beekman, but then fell in the final two sets, even as Patton notched another eleven kills while seeing her first action at outside hitter. Kiersten Anderson finished with 11 digs, 12 kills, and 27 assists to tie the Lincoln Land triple-double record held by Beka Pruemer (2009-2010).
"Woulda, coulda, shoulda. We had a defensive lapse in a couple of the games, so that we could easily have won the match 3-1 instead of losing it. It was an improvement over last weekend, but still frustrating to see us give up unnecessary points, especially since MAC is good enough they don't need the help at all," Coach Dietz said. "With that said, you play tough teams and sometimes you lose. MAC's setter was fabulous all night and you just tip your hat when a great player is on the money like that. Hopefully we learn from it and continue to work on our problem areas in the coming week."
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It could've been a let up for the Loggers coming immediately after the hard fought Mineral Area contest and the first set looked that way as the Cavaliers of Kankakee stayed close to the Loggers, tying the game at 19 before the Loggers eventually put the set away with the serving of Laney Jackson who snagged two of her match-high three aces to seal the 25-20 win. "We played slow," Coach Dietz said. "I challenged them to be mentally tough, to play at our pace and not let the match go at Kankakee's. They responded pretty well." In each of the next two sets, LLCC jumped out to fast leads, including 9-2 in the second set and 16-7 in the third, winning each by the score of 25-13 to raise the team's record to 4-2. "I thought Bailey Rexroad did a great job hitting and we were able to work on some others, gearing up to the speed we need for the future. I really liked Maree's (Taig) hustle in the final two sets."
LLCC is back in action Saturday against Lewis & Clark College and D-1 Lake Land starting at 9am.
Match Stats:
vs. Mineral Area
Digs: Beekman 14, Sobotka 11, Marusic 11, Anderson 11
Aces: Patton 3, Beekman 2
Blocks: Anderson 3, Patton 2, Bilyeu 2
Assists: Anderson 27, Jackson 24
Kills: Patton 17, Anderson 12
**Anderson ties school record for triple-doubles
vs. Kankakee
Digs:Smith 9, Beekman 9
Aces: Jackson 3, Beekman 2, Smith 2
Blocks: Anderson 2, Soebbing 2, Bilyeu 2
Assists: Jackson 20, Anderson 17
Kills: Rexroad 10, Anderson 8
