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Raiders prevail over Linn-Mar in close sets
Team moves to 9-1 to start the season
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
WILLIAMSBURG — Four sets and two wins.
The Williamsburg volleyball team went 2-0 with match wins over Cedar Rapids Jefferson and Linn-Mar at their home quad Thursday to get wins eight and nine on the season.
A 9-1 start to the season is a pretty good feeling for the Raiders.
“I don’t think we’ve had this good of a start in a long time,” senior Averi Nielsen said. “It feels good and boosts our confidence.”
A move back to a 5-1 offense has proved to be efficient with Averi Nielsen at the helm as the primary setter.
The 5-1 offense consists of the primary setter and five attackers. This offense only works with a consistent setter, which Averi has been, and builds chemistry with each attacker.
“I’m used to running a 5-1 offense,“ Averi Nielsen said. ”I have that background and knowledge of it. I’ve also definitely grown a lot since my freshman year, mentally and strengthwise. It’s helped me feel so much more confident.”
With the move back to this offense, some Raiders are playing in new positions, including Averi’s younger sister, Ellie. The sophomore is an outside hitter, after splitting the setter role last season.
“We have returners, but we also have people playing new positions so we’ve really worked hard on our rotations in practice,” Averi Nielsen said.
Other than a five-set loss to Class 3A No. 9 Wilton last week, the Raiders have coasted in their wins this season against smaller schools. Even in the loss, the Raiders felt confident knowing they can compete with top teams.
“I have confidence we can take any team to five sets,” Kylee Suhr said.
Linn-Mar gave the Raiders the challenge they needed as they enter conference play and face a more challenging schedule.
In set one against the Lions, the Raiders got off to a great start, leading 16-6 at one point.
The Lions cut it to three at 21-18 after consecutive blocks from Zigana Christensen.
The Raiders ended the match with three kills, two from Jordyn Skaggs, for a 25-21 set win.
Set two was a similar story. After jumping out to a quick lead, the Lions clawed their way back into the match.
The Lions took their first lead at 21-20, but the Raiders did not fold.
“In practice we do a lot of work like that when we’re behind, and we focus a lot on keeping our momentum up,” Averi Nielsen said.
Clarissa and Kylee Suhr delivered for the Raiders down the stretch, each having two kills to give the Raiders the 25-23 set win.
The two sisters provided a one-two punch Thursday as they have all season.
“We hold each other accountable in having those roles on the team,” Kylee Suhr said. “We trust each other wherever we are at on the court and we just have fun.”
Match one was all Raiders against Cedar Rapids Jefferson. Williamsburg won by set scores of 25-12 and 25-11.
Through 10 matches this season, Clarissa and Kylee have 67 and 64 kills each, respectively. Averi Nielsen is third with 32 while also having 162 assists.
