HOPE — The Hauser volleyball team controlled the match right from the first serve and rolled through Jac-Cen-Del 25-9, 25-3, 25-11 in Thursday’s opening round of the Class A Hauser Sectional.
“We wanted to come out and look sharp, and it started with ball control and we had pretty good ball control,” Hauser coach Jeff Case said. “The serving was aggressive and mostly under control. We missed a few but not too many. Hitting, we had a few mishits but we were pretty aggressive with that. Overall, we played a really good match, and I’m really happy with how we played.”
The Jets (18-14) led 4-2 early in the first set, until Shelby Fugate served a couple aces to extend the lead to 10-2. After the Eagles scored the next point, Hauser scored six of the next seven points to extend the lead to 16-4. Later in the first set with the Jets still leading 19-9, they scored the next six points to take the set.
Hauser took a 6-2 lead in the second set, but the serving of Fugate and Hannah Johnson helped the Jets go on a 19-1 run to finish off the set.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]Click here to purchase photos from this gallery
Hauser jumped out early in the third set to lead 14-3. Both teams traded points, but the Jets still maintained a 21-11 lead. They then closed out the match by scoring the final four points.
Johnson finished with 11 kills, three aces and two blocks. Fugate had with six digs and five aces. Aunaka Wasil tallied 20 assists, Abby Branum added seven assists, Melanie Taylor had 12 digs, Sophia Mussillami pounded seven kills and Marnie Schwartzkopf added five kills.
Hauser will square off against Mid-Hoosier Conference foe Southwestern (Shelby) in the semifinal match at around 12:30 p.m. Saturday. The championship will be at 7 p.m. Saturday.
The Spartans will be a tough semifinal opponent for the Jets. This will be the third matchup between the teams. Even though Hauser came out on top twice, both of the matches went the distance.
“Our biggest focus will be ball control — them hitting the ball at us and us being able to get at the ball,” said Fugate. “We have some good hitters, but we have to get some good digs to set up our offense.”
Case knows the challenge in beating a team three times in one season.
“We’re really hoping being on our home floor will help. We beat them on a neutral court and on their home floor,” Case said. “We are taking it serious because it is tough beating a good team three times. We have to play amazing defense because they’re going to hit the ball. We know that we have to play well to win.”
