CARMINE — The Round Top-Carmine High School volleyball team faced off against Prairie Lea High School Oct. 7 at Cubs Gym in Carmine and won in three sets by a final score of 25-23, 25-5, 25-7. This was an unusual situation as Prairie Lea only showed up with their varsity team, so in order for Round Top to get some reps for their junior varsity squad, they combined both teams and played as one where the JV team played the first set and the varsity team played the next two sets against Prairie Lea’s varsity team.
“We were able to get the JV some time in the first set,” said Round Top-Carmine head volleyball coach Catie Weishuhn. “Our original varsity rotation came in sets two and three and I thought overall it was a good win. Obviously, a few kinks we still need to work out, but I’m proud of our district opener and excited to see where the rest of the season takes us.”
Cubettes senior outside hitter Jessica Rohde had seven kills for the outing and was effective on offense for each of the three sets.
“I think it’s really about hyping each other up and having all the energy,” Rohde said. “It really helps keep the flow going. It cre ates less chaos just trying to slow it down in your head and make sure everyone has the same common goal energy wise.”
The junior varsity team for Round Top impressed in the first set and and took a 13-10 lead after three consecutive aces and going back and forth early in the set.
A serve out of bounds from the Cubettes tied it at 17 and it was tied again going down to the last few points after a tip ball from Round Top made it 23-23, which was followed by a kill and an ace from Round Top to win the set 25-23.
As Round Top’s varsity squad took the floor for the first time, they dominated right away and had an 11-0 advantage in the second set, which included five aces and two of them coming from sophomore setter Madison Markwardt.
A few more kills and two more aces from the Cubettes put it at 20-5, then Round Top scored five points in a row on three kills, an ace, and a tip ball to win it 25-5.
The third set was also lopsided as Round Top went on a 10-point streak on a few kills with one being from sophomore outside hitter Bree Dooley, an ace, a tip ball, and a few mistakes from Prairie Lea to make it 21-3 in favor of Round Top.
The Cubettes recorded another ace and capitalized on more Prairie Lea mistakes to win the set and match 25-7.
