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  • Mankato East's Erica Viland can't quite clear the net with her shot during their first game with Winona Thursday. Pat Christman

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September 3, 2010

Defense leads Cougars to season-opening win

East survives 12 service errors against Winona

By Denny Weller Special to The Free Press

MANKATO — A steady defensive effort Thursday night by the Mankato East volleyball team fueled a season-opening 25-23, 25-18, 25-18 Big Nine Conference win over Winona at the East gym.

Senior outside hitter Allyse Johnson collected 12 digs and senior outside hitter Piper Timmerman came up with 10 more as the Cougars held off the Winhawks despite an inconsistent offensive effort, especially at the service line. East was guilty of 12 service errors compared to Winona’s 10.

“Defense is all about technique, and we have very consistent girls who are in there for defense,” East coach Kari Rodman said. “If they miss one here or there they know what to do to fix it; they’ve got the mental game. Offensively, it’s just a matter of learning to connect with Shayne (Johnson).

“It was her first time as a varsity setter and she truly impressed me tonight. She came out looked like an inexperience setter. It’s just a matter of fine-tuning things and making sure she can connect with all the hitters. I like that most of our serves were deep rather than in the net. We just need to get a ball over that takes a team out of system.”

Winona (1-2, 0-2 in Big Nine) fell behind 10-4 in Game 1 before Brianna Neitzke’s five-point service run sparked an 8-1 run to give the Winhawks a 12-11 lead after Ciara Morcomb’s cross-court kill. Senior middle hitter Kelsey Mosher’s ace hit got the Cougars rolling, and two ace kills apiece from Mosher, Hallie Enderle and Allyse Johnson helped East gain a 25-23 decision.

Neither team could generate much of a run in Game 2 until Enderle’s quick middle kill and ensuing four-point service run gave East an 18-11 advantage. Mosher, who finished with seven kills and two blocks, then came up with a kill and a block before Enderle’s wicked blast and Allyse Johnson’s backhand kill closed out a 25-18 victory.

“This was a good chance for us to see what we need to work on in game situations and who handles the pressure,” Allyse Johnson said. “We were communicating and when we got down we didn’t stay down. First-game jitters kind of got in the way but we’ll be more consistent by the end of the year. “

Trailing 10-9 in Game 2, the Cougars took charge after Enderle sliced a kill off a block and Shayne Johnson followed with a five-point service run. Enderle smacked three more kills before Timmerman’s three-kill flurry finished off a 25-18 win. Timmerman ended up with six kills, two ace serves and an ace block while Allyse Johnson chipped in seven kills.

“I am glad we put this match away,” said Enderle, who led the Cougars with 13 kills, four ace serves and six ace blocks. “It takes some time with a new setter and Shayne and I haven’t completely clicked yet. But we’ll get there; it’s a stepping stone. I thought our serve receiving was pretty flawless but it has to be followed up with some offense.”

Shane Johnson tallied a total of 31 set assists. Neitzke led the Winhawks with eight kills and six ace serves.

East will host Belle Plaine on Tuesday.

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