HOWARD LAKE – Senior night is filled with many emotions for high school athletes. With six seniors on the Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted volleyball team this season, emotions were running high as the Lakers played their final home game of the regular season Tuesday night against Eden Valley-Watkins. Even with the emotions of senior night, the Lakers gathered themselves before the start, and left no doubt in its 3-0 (25-12, 25-15, 25-20) sweep.
“I definitely think it was a motivator for us because it really set in that things are wrapping up,” HLWW coach Brooke Decker said. “I think that really showed tonight. It kind of pushed them to give a bit more and go get it.”
Not only did the Lakers get solid performances from their regulars, the Lakers also added to their depth with the addition of sophomore Mikayla Scherping. Scherping has seen an increased role for the Lakers of late, and has been making the most of her chances thus far.
“Her blocking has been great,” Decker said. “The very first night that we put her in, she got a block and a kill right away. I knew right away that she was ready to go for us. Her height and jumping ability give us so much more. “
With the addition of Scherping to the already stacked lineup for the Lakers including Camden Schank, Lily Deboer, Isabelle Roufs, Macee Streich, Lanney Loebertmann, and Alexa Schumann, the Lakers are poised for a deep playoff run.
If the Lakers are serious about a deep run come playoff time, they’ll need to avoid their let common letdowns following quick starts. The Lakers jumped out to a 2-0 start in dominant fashion against the Eagles, but let their guard down come the third set. The Lakers trailed 19-17 in set three, but the serving of Schank brought them all the way back to earn the sweep.
“That’s what I told them,” Decker said about avoiding the letdowns after quick starts. “We can’t just be able to come in and play two games. We have to go all the way to the end, especially when we start playing these tougher teams. We can’t take any points off. We got to make sure we play that same consistency and with energy every time.”
The Lakers will close out their season Tuesday, Oct. 17 at Holdingford. With the end of the regular season on the horizon, Decker wants her team to remember to play every play like it’s their last.
“We got to just keep playing every single play like it’s their last,” Decker said. “They know that they’re not going to be able to play volleyball forever. I want to make sure they’re really taking advantage of what we have with our team right now.”
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