5 kills, 2 blocks vs Rosemount
(photo by Jim Lindquist)
Rosemount rolled to a 25-8 first-game win on the way to a 3-0 non-conference victory over Farmington Thursday, Sept. 1, at Rosemount. The Irish won the final two contests 25-20 and 25-13.
The defeat was the first of the season for coach Mike Woody's team who defeated Albert Lea and Austin in its first two outings.
"We grew a lot on Thursday," Woody said. "Rosemount was probably one of the best defensive teams we will see all year and they put it to us in game one. We clearly played our worst game of the season.
"But for this group to bounce back and play really well in games two and three was a huge step. In the end, they outplayed us defensively."
Offensive highlights were few and far between for the visitors who converted just 24 percent of their kill opportunities (17 for 71). Allie Pierskalla and Bekah Lippert topped the Farmington charts with five and four respectively.
Ruthanne Schmitt had a team-high seven set assists and Mia Johnston added six. Schmitt chipped in with a pair of service aces.
Rachel Eckert and Emma Fahning led in digs with 16 and 12 respectively. Four Tigers reached double figures in service receptions: Eckert and Fahning with 15 apiece; Laura Steege with 14 and Emily Nelson with 11. Lippert and Courtney Johnston each recorded a trio of blocked shots.
The Tigers look to rebound from the defeat next Thursday, Sept. 8, when they kick off their Missota Conference season at Red Wing.
"The conference should be interesting," Woody said. "Shakopee, Chaska and Chanhassen are very talented and after that everything is up for grabs."
