×

Gaels honor seniors with victory

—Messenger photo by Britt Kudla St. Edmond’s Ansley Oswald tips the ball over the net against Algona on Thursday in the Gael gym. For more photos, visit CU at messengernews.net

Senior Night is always memorable, as players are honored and remembered for what they have meant to the program.

For the St. Edmond volleyball team, Thursday night’s event will definitely be one they never forget.

The Gaels rallied back for a 15-25, 30-28, 15-25, 25-21, 15-8 victory in their home gym over the Bulldogs.

“I’m really speechless,” said SEHS head coach Josephine Alstott while holding back tears. “This group, and these seven seniors, have meant so much to me and to our team. They’ve been playing together since sixth grade, and for them to have a night like this — and a performance like this — it’s just incredible.”

One of those seniors, Alstott’s daughter, Emma, helped lead the charge with eight kills. Aleah Anderson, another senior, had 10, as did classmate Alyxis Mericle.

Kierstin Clark recorded five kills and 25 assists, with Alyson Nieland and Lauren Gibb adding three kills each.

“We’ve been pushing them because we knew they could play a match like this,” Alstott said. “That’s what’s so tough about it. We haven’t had the kind of game we’ve wanted where we have shown all we are capable of. But we did (Thursday), and what a perfect time to do it.”

Algona was led by A’Lailah Perry’s 25 kills, with Cailey Carroll adding eight and Lily Elsbecker six.

St. Edmond used a strong service night, recording 19 aces. They also were able to hold off the Bulldogs in the second set to avoid falling in an 0-2 hole by posting a 30-28 victory as Anderson sealed it with a kill.

After Algona answered back to take the third, St. Edmond dominated the fourth behind seven different players recording a kill. Four straight with the set tied at 21-all forced the deciding fifth, which the Gaels quickly gained control of.

Mericle had a kill to start it and followed up with another that began a 6-0 run and gave St. Edmond an 8-2 lead. She also had two aces during that possession with Clark adding two kills and Alstott one.

“Those seniors played their hearts out in the fifth,” Alstott said. “It really was a complete team effort all night. I just couldn’t be more proud of this group for giving it everything they had.

“You could see that on their faces after with all the tears and emotions on their faces. This meant a lot to everyone.”

Prior to the start, St. Edmond honored Clare Conrad, Mya McClain, Anderson, Alstott, Mericle, Nieland and Clark. Five sets and two hours later, the group embraced as one in victory.

The Gaels will head to a tournament in Algona this Saturday before opening Class 1A regional play at home on Monday vs. Paton-Churdan.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today