Eagles volleyball takes down Eminence in four sets

Friday, September 9, 2011
South Putnam's Alex McHugh (7) sets up fellow Eagle Brooke Boetjer.

South Putnam went on an 8-2 run to close out the third game and carried that momentum into a powerful fourth to defeat Eminence, 25-17, 21-25, 25-18 and 25-3, in a nonconference volleyball match Thursday night on the Eagles' floor.

"We have a lot of really talented girls and when they're on their game, it's a lot of fun to watch," South Putnam coach Renatta Hendrickson said.

The Eagles jumped out to a 16-5 lead in the first game, but the Eels (6-6) began to play competitively in the final third of it.

Eminence continued its improved play in the second game, going on a 5-0 run to take a 15-12 lead.

South Putnam (6-4) tied the match, 17-17, but the Eels moved to a 22-19 advantage. The Eagles were in striking range, behind 23-21, but Eminence won the game with back-to-back kills.

"We kind of struggled in that game," Hendrickson said.

The third game proved pivotal. Eminence opened up a 9-4 advantage. The Eagles charged back to 11-11 and took a 14-12 lead.

South Putnam had a 17-16 lead before finishing off the game with a 8-2 run.

The Eagles scored the opening six points of the fourth game and scored the final 10 points of the match, overwhelming the Eels.

"We pulled out the third game," Hendrickson said. "We worked on some new things and put them together. We had some great serves in the fourth game.

"We played well as a team."

South Putnam had outstanding hitting and blocking from Brooke Boetjer, Emily Dabkowski and Leanna Masters, superb setting from Alex McHugh and Janet Crafton and solid all-around play by Brenly Bratcher, Ericka Minor, Mallory Cash and Makayla Alberts.

Boetjer led the Eagles with 14 kills and Dabkowski had nine. McHugh had 15 assists and Crafton seven. Minor had 10 digs. Cash scored 12 points and had nine digs, Albers had 21 points and Bratcher 11 points.