Laughlin leads charge in comeback rally against Highland

BELLE PLAINE — The Plainsmen squad used a blend of older and younger players in their first volleyball matches of the season, but one thing remained constant — senior Kayleah Laughlin.

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In all four sets played in Belle Plaine's home opener triangular against Baxter and Highland, Laughlin did not come off the court.

"She's a solid player for us all the time, so she's got to be on the court for us,“ said Belle Plaine head volleyball coach April Kressley. ”She knows the game very well and does a good job of seeing things and communicating with teammates,"

Laughlin delivered big time in the Plainsmen comeback rally in their second set against Highland.

Down 22-15, Laughlin produced two kills and had the ball to serve with Belle Plaine down 22-18.

Laughlin nailed four straight aces as the Plainsmen finished the set with a 25-23 win to secure a perfect record on the night and a 2-0 start to the season 2-0 (4-0 in sets).

“I was definitely in my head a little bit about my passing,” said Laughlin of the comeback rally. “I just knew I needed to tell myself to calm down and go back to the basics.”

"Kayleah took a little heat off (her serves) and was smart, but it just tells you the kind of player she is,“ said Kressley. ”We know we can depend on her, and that's why she's captain.“

Laughlin is well-known for her ability to kill the ball, but that’s not the only skill she can bring to the table for the Plainsmen this season.

"I've never been a good server, but April [Kressley] has really helped me out these last few years with my serving and getting it back to being consistent, especially on float serves," Laughlin said.

Throughout the set against Highland, the Plainsmen found themselves down by a few points. Short runs cut into the lead and kept them in match long enough to rally at the end.

"The big thing was their mental toughness,“ said Kressley. ”On the first night of the season to be able to comeback like that. … I was very happy.“

In their first match of the night, the Plainsmen defeated Baxter in two sets by scores of 25-12 and 25-20.

The Plainsmen built comfortable leads in both sets, but the Bolts fought and kept the score closer in set two.

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Laughlin led with five kills while freshman Allison Hoover had 12 assists in the two sets.

The first set against Highland was smooth sailing. Belle Plaine won by a margin of 12 (25-13) with the set ending on a Hoover kill.

As the Plainsmen begin their season 2-0, Coach Kressley is excited about the depth her team has. “I’ve got a lot of options, and the seniors have been huge on the court and as leaders,” Kressley said.

“I have to bring up how well Alli Hoover did as a freshman being an all-around setter for us. She is learning every time she comes on the court, in the gym, and is so coachable.”

This Plainsmen team has high goals as they start their season.

“I feel like we can really go far,” Laughlin said.

“If we put the work in and keep fighting the way we just did tonight, we can definitely make it to State and show what we can do.”