HUMBOLDT — The Humboldt Lady Cubs picked up a bit of steam after sweeping the competition at Monday’s home triangular.
The Lady Cubs did not lose a single set, besting the Erie Red Devils 25-23 and Yates Center, 25-15 and 25-14.
“We played well tonight,” Humboldt coach Terry Meadows said. “It’s exciting after Saturday’s tournament. They worked hard Saturday, and they were tired. It’s always nice to come out and get a couple of good wins.”
The Cubs opened the triangular against a familiar foe in Erie, who moved from Humboldt’s Tri-Valley League to the Three Rivers League in the offseason. Humboldt senior middle hitter Laney Hull seemed to benefit the most, leading the Lady Cubs in nearly every statistical category.
She had a team-leading 11 kills, followed by senior outside hitter Ricklyn Hollmon’s 10 and freshman outside hitter Jady Ellis’ 4. Opposite side hitter Adalyn Hillmon and senior libero Skylar Hottenstein tied for the team lead in aces with two each.
“We started out slow, and our energy wasn’t there, but I’m glad we came back and finished it,” Hottenstein said.
Defensively, Hull also had a team-leading seven digs, followed by Hottenstein and junior setter Lakyn Meadows with six each. Hull, Hillmon, senior opposite side hitter Rylee Woods had two blocks each.
With Hull taking a much-deserved step back against Yates Center, various other Lady Cubs rose to the challenge. Among them was Ellis, who was third in kills against the Wildcats with four, behind Ricklyn Hillmon’s team-leading six kills and Wood’s five.
“I feel great. I’ve come a long way,” Ellis said. “Practicing and going harder each day has really helped me.”
Hottenstein had a team-leading two aces, followed by sophomore setter Bailey Daniels and Hull with one each. Defensively, Hottenstein had a team-leading eight digs, followed by Daniels with six, then Hull and Meadows with three each.
Although they lost Monday’s finale, the night was not a wash for Yates Center. The Wildcasts swept Erie, a TRL rival. As a neutral-site triangular, Monday’s contest won’t count as a league game, but it did give Yates Center another look at good competition.
For junior outside hitter Mylin Tidd, Monday’s win against Erie was huge because it means the Wildcats can do it again — when it counts.
“It will definitely give us more momentum,” Tidd said.
Yates Center High School volleyball players Madison Hall and Wylee Schaffer dive for the ball while trying to make a dig against Humboldt during Monday’s triangular inside Humboldt High School.
Yates Center returns to the hardwood Tuesday, October 7, with a triangular at Central Heights. Yates Center is undefeated in Three Rivers League action at 9-0.
Humboldt returns to the hardwood Thursday with a triangular against St. Paul.
First serve is 4 p.m.
