VOLLEYBALL

As the first team to compete in the newly renovated Platt Arena, the Huntington volleyball team picked up not one, but two wins Saturday afternoon in their own tri-match.

HU kept it short and sweet against Stephens (Mo.) by winning in three, 25-23, 25-23, 25-11, before blanking Oakland City too, 26-24, 25-21, 25-16, later in the day to improve to 8-2 on the year.

Herber and crew had to overcome a 23-20 deficit in the first set against the Stars to start their sweep. The second set also proved a battle after which the final set was a blowout.

Haley Kruse led a balanced attack with ten kills as the only Forester to finish in double figures. Trevyn Terry added six while Leah Carter and Kortney Grimm put down five each. Grimm also collected four aces.

Morgan Robrock assisted 27 of HU’s 29 kills. She also dug up ten balls. As her team’s libero, Olivia Krahn finished with a match-tying 15 digs.

Just like the first match, the Foresters had to come from behind in the opening set. The Robrock sisters teamed up to spearhead the comeback rally. Down 24-22, the pair teamed up for three kills in addition to an Eliza Byrum ace to rattle off four straight points for the win.

Huntington never trailed after that to cruise to their fourth sweep of the year. Morgan Robrock ran the offense by handing out 27 assists. The 5-11 setter kept the Mighty Oaks defense guessing. In addition to putting down eight balls herself, she made sure everyone got in on the action as four others had at least six kills each.

Kruse finished with nine, Grimm and Carter added seven kills apiece and Terry collected six. Defense was also by committee. Grimm tracked down 12 digs, Krahn posted 11 while Kruse and Robrock also logged double-digit digs with ten each.

“I was proud of our team for getting two sweeps today and playing progressively better throughout the day,” said Coach Kelsey Herber. “Our passing improved from past matches, and we stopped hesitating on defense. We also served aggressively and consistently. We focused on each of these areas in practice this week, so it was encouraging to see our efforts translate to the matches.

“Against Oakland City, I loved how offensive Morgan Robrock was. Olivia Krahn also did a great job stepping into the libero spot for us today.”

The Foresters open up conference play on Wednesday by hosting Saint Francis at 7:00 p.m.