HOWARD LAKE – If you’re a member of the Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted volleyball team, you better be ready. With just nine girls on the bench in their home opener against Dassel-Cokato, it took a total team effort by the Lakers to hold off the Chargers for a 3-1 (25-19, 25-23, 24-26, 26-24) victory Tuesday night.
“This is what we have to work with,” HLWW coach Brooke Orazem said. “I think they’re accepting that and knowing what their role is. They’re learning that very fast. They have to be able to count on each other, and hold themselves accountable, too.”
After taking set one to grab a 1-0 lead, HLWW found themselves needing to rally in the second set after miscommunication early put them behind. Communication is what has been the problem for the Lakers early on in practice, and Orazem knows how important it is to preach it every single day.
“That’s something that I’ll continue to say all the time,” Orazem said. “It obviously shows if we don’t communicate. It doesn’t go well. I’m going to keep pushing and pushing until they can show me they can do it. That’s going to be a huge factor in their success this year.”
HLWW found themselves down 22-18 in the second set, but their play turned around when the communication improved. The Lakers finished the set on a 7-1 run, stealing one away from the Chargers to take a 2-0 lead.
“I think that’s going to be our biggest thing,” Orazem said about the ups and downs of a match. “Just playing at the varsity level. There’s so many different roles that these girls are taking on. Once we keep playing with each other and knowing where everybody is at, it will all mesh together at the right time.”
Dassel-Cokato stole one back in set three as they erased a late deficit to stay alive with a 26-24 victory in set three. HLWW had a 22-16 lead, but it was the Chargers who kept things going with an impressive rally to stay alive.
In set four, it was Marit Gueningsman who gave the Lakers a much-needed spark. The junior middle hitter had four kills early on in the set, helping the Lakers get off to a good start after letting one slip away.
“Watching her in practices and scrimmages so far, she has definitely been a go-to hitter and blocker,” Orazem said. “She’s been doing awesome and really stepping into her role.”
For the complete story and more HJ sports coverage, check out the Friday, August 30 edition of the Herald Journal. Click here for subscription information.