Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: LJ Maehl of Fort Dodge hits the ball over the net against Waterloo East on Tuesday inside the Dodger gym. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

Beth Wilder is hoping Fort Dodge’s four-set victory over Waterloo East at home on Tuesday will be the spark that steers her volleyball team back in the right direction.

The Dodgers sent their seniors out in style during the final home match of the season, taking down the Trojans by scores of 25-16, 24-26, 25-19 and 25-23.

Wilder’s squad was able to breathe a sigh of relief as a nine-match losing streak came to an end in front of friends, family and fans in the FDSH gym.

“It was definitely needed,” said Wilder, the program’s second-year head coach. “We talked in the locker room afterward about this being a potential turning point. Closing things out — especially after facing some adversity (after dropping the second set and having to rally late in the fourth) — was a big confidence boost.

“Things have been a bit shaky at times (during the skid), but this felt good and I’m proud of them.”

Senior LJ Maehl recorded 12 kills and three blocks for the Dodgers, with classmate Maeleena Meyer adding eight kills and five blocks.

Jonaya Foy — another 12th-grader — contributed 11 digs.

Sophomore Adyson Friesth finished with 17 assists, and junior Ellie Doster had 12 digs, 14 assists and four ace serves.

Wilder liked what she saw from her defense, which was “scrappier than it has been when it needed to be.”

“We’d been struggling to show that fire consistently,” Wilder said. “It’s a huge piece of what’s been missing. It’s not that we aren’t capable. It’s just a matter of maintaining that fire and concentration level.

“We were better about that (Tuesday). I think that was the big takeaway — the defense took a step forward.”

Wilder also pointed to the importance of improving communication and resilience.

“We tend to get flat when things aren’t going our way, which has led to rallies that we haven’t been able to stop,” Wilder said. “Some of that is energy. But a lot of it is we’re not talking or communicating as much as we need to be. That has to keep getting better as well.”

Maehl, Meyer, Foy, Teryn Rippentrop, Tatum Harms and Aniya Tessandori were the six Dodger seniors recognized for their efforts and commitment to the program over the last four years.

Fort Dodge now closes the regular season with a trip to the Boone Invitational on Saturday, followed by road matches at Des Moines Hoover, Des Moines East, Ames, Indianola and Webster City.