Above: Emma Sweere on the pass.
Rival Nicollet didn’t put up much of a fight in their own gym against the Cleveland varsity girls on Tuesday.
The Clippers easily swept the Raiders 3-0.
“I think the level on our side of the court tonight showed we have had to play some really good teams,” said head coach Dave Nixon. “It’s good to take care of our side of the net, and we did a good job of that tonight.”
The Clippers scored the first dozen points of game one. Down 19-3, the Raiders won seven of the next eight points and then sent a serve into the webbing.
Jersie Kelly scored on an ace tip to put the Clippers up 22-9. After the Raiders hit into the net, Ava Hahn came up with an ace tip. Nicollet scored the next two points, but Cleveland won 25-10 when the Raiders hit the into the net.
The regulars did a good job getting an early lead so more Clippers could get game experience, Nixon said.
“The nice thing was to get everyone involved, to get everyone some playing time, because you never know when you might need to play someone. Just getting everyone more comfortable and giving everyone more experience is good too for the whole team dynamic.”
Game two was similar with the Clippers taking a 22-3 lead. Nicollet managed five points down the stretch, but with a Savannah Meyer ace tip, the Clippers triumphed 25-8.
The Clippers scored the first eight points of game three. Nicollet managed to score here and there, but the Clippers won the game 25-9 when the Raiders hit into the net.
Ava Hahn totaled eight kills. Sarena Remiger had six kills. Lexy Waldron had three kills. Harley Connor and Laci Hollerich each had four kills. Meyer, Kelley, Greta Hahn and Jocelyn Bartell each had one kill.
Greta Hahn set up 19 points. Sophie Perkins had two set assists. Connor had three set assists.
Sweere had 12 digs. Ava Hahn had six digs. Meyer had six digs. Greta Hahn had five digs. Hollerich had four digs. Perkins had four digs.
Waldron and Connor each had one assisted block. Waldron landed safely all two dozen of her serves with six of them aces. Ava and Greta Hahn each had one ace serve. Emma Sweere had two ace serves. Bartell had one ace serve.
The varsity Clippers return to action at home on Tuesday with a match against 1-8 St. Clair. On Thursday, they travel to Trimont to take on Martin County West. The Mavericks beat Valley Conference perennial power Alden-Conger 3-2 back on September 8 but later lost to Madelia.
Madelia has lost to LCWM and Alden-Conger.
On Friday and Saturday, the Clippers play in a tournament in Burnsville.
Laci Hollerich goes on the attack.
Sarena Remiger pokes down a tip.
Harley Connor extends for a stop.
Eighth grader Melia Sathoff follows through after a hit