Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Ansley Oswald of St. Edmond tips the ball over Eagle Grove Calli Steil on Monday in the Gael gym. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

Matt Reynoso wants his St. Edmond volleyball team to view themselves the way he sees them.

The Gaels are young, inexperienced and often unsure of their place on the court against upper-echelon opponents. Reynoso sees their potential, though, and St. Edmond’s interim head coach is bound and determined to bring this group up to speed both physically and mentally so he doesn’t have to only speak theoretically by the end of the season.

A quick three-set sweep of Eagle Grove pushed St. Edmond back in the right direction — and snapped an eight-match losing slide — on Monday in the Gael gym. Scores were 25-13, 25-20 and 25-10.

This was just the confidence boost St. Edmond (4-12 overall) needed. After winning two of their first three matches this season, the Gaels had dropped 11 of 12 overall — including 10 setbacks via sweep.

A competitive effort against Webster City last Thursday helped swing momentum back in St. Edmond’s favor, and the confidence carried over into last night’s decisive victory.

“It’s great to watch them build confidence, play together and believe in themselves and each other,” Reynoso said. “I know what they are capable of. Too often, though, we look across the net at bigger, stronger, older players and become intimidated. Part of it is just being so young (the Gaels start five sophomores). We had nine seniors last year and this just comes with the territory of (the transition). But I know what they can accomplish if they keep working hard and getting better every day. We’ve definitely taken some positive steps here in the (last week).”

Three early aces from Sasha Hess put the Gaels up 6-1 right out of the gate. A kill from Hadley Oswald made it 12-6 and forced the Eagles to take a timeout, and after the visitors pulled back within 12-9, St. Edmond tallied 13 of the first set’s final 17 points. Kills from Ansley Oswald and Ava Underberg closed the door.

The second game was much more competitive, with eight ties in the first 20 points scored. Eagle Grove led 19-18 late, but an ace from the Gaels’ lone senior — Maddie Reynoso — kickstarted a closing 7-1 SEHS burst with Reynoso at the service line.

Reynoso and Gibb were serving during long rallies as the Gaels left no doubt in the third and final game. St. Edmond built an immediate 7-0 advantage with Reynoso, then pieced together an 11-0 spurt for a 20-2 lead with the ball in Gibb’s hands.

“We’re still a long way from where we need to be, but that’s understandable,” Coach Reynoso said. “It’s all about confidence and consistency in execution. Once we’re able to establish both and not let that slip, (success) will follow. We just need to stay positive, have fun and keep supporting each other with so many underclassmen on the roster who are still finding out what it takes night in and night out at the varsity level.”

The Gaels return to action at Humboldt on Tuesday, while Eagle Grove hosts North Union.