Top-ranked 2A Lady O's still undefeated
Taylor Oeser makes a dig Sept. 19 in Russell. Courtesy photo.
RUSSELL — Coming into the Russell tournament with an 8-0 record , the Lady Oiler volleyball squad was looking to come out with another first place finish. They achieved their goal, although it didn’t come easy.
They started the morning with a tough Minneapolis team. Within the first 8 points of the day there were multiple lead changes before Junior Kylee Kasselman started a rally for the Lady O’s, serving six points in a row, putting the Oilers on top 13-8. Continuing to lead from there, the Lady Oilers finished the first set 25-19.
In the second set, the score was once again close, this time in Minneapolis’ favor. Similar to the first set, it was a service run that put the Oilers back in the lead, but this time by sophomore Taylor Oeser. After many long rallies, the Lady O’s came out with a win 25-23.
Coming off the exhilarating win, they next faced the Russell Broncos. Jumping out to the lead the Oilers never looked back winning the first set 25-14. The second set was a different story, as Russell controlled the scoreboard 15-9 before a comeback by the Oilers. The Lady O’s finally regained the lead at 23-21, going on to finish the Broncos 25-22.
The Oilers dominated 5A Topeka West, who was new to the tournament, 25-6 and 25-9. Taylor Rolfs led the offense, scoring eight kills.
After a long break, the Lady O’s played their fourth match of the day against Hoisington. The wait to play didn’t affect the Oilers as they beat the Cardinals 25-18, 25-12. Kasselman did a little bit of everything, collecting 6 kills and 12 digs.
Concluding their day, the Oilers beat Larned 25-10, 25-19. Senior Taylor Rolfs led the team with 11 digs. Kasselman led the team in kills with eight.
On the day, Rolfs finished with 35 kills, leading the team, Kasselman scored a team high 42 digs, and Crites dished out a team-leading 48 assists.
The Lady O’s played in a triangular Tuesday at LaCrosse, taking on Otis-Bison and the 1A Division I third-ranked Leopards. Results were not available at post time.
The Lady O’s will play at 9 a.m. Saturday in a tournament at WaKeeney.
