The West Holt volleyball team began their season with dominating performances at the Elkhorn Valley Triangular on Thursday, August 24, improving their season record to 2-0.
With the games being best of three sets, the night was bound to be fast moving and timely, but the Lady Huskies made their contests even quicker than expected with two sweeps over their competition.
The girls began triangular play with a contest against the Elkhorn Valley Falcons on their home court. From the get-go this was a tight one, with both teams exchanging blows. In the end it was West Holt coming out victorious in extra points by a score of 27-25. Set two would prove to not be any easier for the Lady Huskies, as the Falcons of Elkhorn Valley would claw and scratch until the very end. But yet again it was West Holt coming out on top 25-20, earning them two sets to none victory over a tough Falcons team on the road.
Leading the pack for the Huskies was Ainsley Galyen, who ended the match with five kills, leading the team in that statistic. Also pulling her own weight was Lainey Smith, who had 14 assists and Abby Davis, who led the team with nine digs.
But the Huskies would have no time to celebrate their victory, as they would turn around right away to take on a tough Summerland team coming off of an impressive 21-9 2022 season.
The Huskies would be in for another battle in game number two, exchanging points back and forth nearly the entire set number one, earning the victory by a score of 25-23. Set number two was nearly identical, with the Huskies coming out on top by a score of 25-22, earning their second victory and sweep of the night.
In match number two it was senior Makinley Cadwallader who stepped up in a major way for the Huskies, leading the team with 10 kills on 29 attacks. Setting Cadwallader up for her attacks was Smith, who bested her first match with 19 assists in the contest.
Both matches seemed like postseason contests, with both teams showcasing their talent and desire to win. At the end of the day, the Huskies wanted it more, and were able to squeak away with a 2-0 record despite having a combined 16 service errors on the night.
The Huskies now get a week off to practice and hone their craft, with their next contest scheduled for Thursday, August 31 in another Triangular against both Burwell and North Central at Burwell High School.