The Helias volleyball team had three players close to double-digit totals in assists Tuesday night, but the biggest assist came before the match even started.
When there was a bit of trouble locating the recording of the national anthem, it appeared it might be left up to the crowd to sing it.
But after some urging from her teammates, Helias player Suzie Kuensting stepped up and nailed an a cappella version with hardly any evidence of nerves.
"Oh my goodness, it was ridiculous - they started chanting my name and I didn't know what to do," Kuensting said. "So I was like, "OK, I might as well do it, it's now or never.'"
The unusual circumstance took care of something that had been talked about for a while.
"We've been trying to get her to do it, and she was always saying, "You've got to give me more notice.' Well, obviously we didn't give her any notice," Helias coach David Harris said. "She's very talented - she was the lead in the school musical this past spring and I've heard her sing at church a few times. I knew she could do it.
"She's a big ham, so I was surprised it took that much pleading and prodding to get her out there."
It was part of a nice all-around effort from Kuensting, as the middle hitter went on to rack up three kills, five service point and even one assist as Helias beat Rolla 25-15, 25-9.
Her excellent anthem was a fitting part of a night where Helias executed well in every facet of the game. Nine different players had kills, led by eight from Ellie Rockers. Meanwhile, Ashley Dudenhoeffer had a team-high 10 assists and Lexy Lamb and Abby Shepard had nine and seven, respectively.
"Introducing a couple new setters, it took a little while to get into a rhythm," Harris said. "I thought they came off the bench and did a really good job."
Dudenhoeffer played just the first game, but she and Rockers made the most of it by hooking up for six kills.
"This summer was really good for both of us, because we got to know each other and worked together," Rockers said. "I think that's the biggest thing for a setter and a hitter, to have a connection. Ashley and I are really getting good at that. She knows how I like my sets and I know how she wants me to be loud for her."
Rockers added the whole team is starting to develop a chemistry together.
"There are so many girls on this team that you can go to if you need anything, and they're there for you," she said. "Every game I get a little bit more comfortable, because I think we're getting more comfortable with each other.
"Everything is kind of clicking for us, it's really great."
Helias raced out to a 7-1 lead on the strength of three kills from Rockers, only to see Rolla creep within two points on two different occasions, the last at 9-7.
But the Lady Crusaders won 12 of the next 17 points to take control and cruised to the win.
In an odd sight, Helias had at least one occasion where it had three freshmen on the floor at the same time, with Korie Otto and Callie Henson joining Rockers in the lineup.
"Normally we might have one out there, but we've had three, and we also had a couple sophomores out there as well," Harris said.
Several reserves got lots of playing time in the second game, which Helias started with a 6-0 spurt.
Rolla got within 11-8 at one point, but Helias got a sideout on a kill by Otto.
The Lady Crusaders then ripped off 11 straight points on the serve of Bradi Berhorst, the last coming on an ace.
After the teams traded sideouts, Helias ended it with an ace by Lamb.
"A lot of our newer players got to play a lot tonight, and I think that's a great thing, because they've been working really, really hard in practice," Kuensting said. "They really showed it tonight, I'm very proud of them."
Clarissa Fennessey led the Lady Crusaders with eight digs, while Regan Bruns added seven.
Prior to the match, Blake Berhorst was honored for reaching 1,000 career digs earlier this month in the Cape Girardeau Notre Dame Volleyballfest. She is the first Helias player to ever surpass that plateau.
Helias, which improved to 13-1, is off until Tuesday when it hosts Hickman.
In the JV match, Helias romped to a 25-15, 25-8 victory.
Amie Henson amassed 11 service points, including three aces, and 11 assists. Kelsey Brester had six kills and Meagan Engelbrecht and Bruns had five kills apiece. Bradi Berhorst added 12 digs for the Lady Crusaders (18-1-1).
In the freshman match, Helias rolled to a 25-6, 25-11 win.
Sommer Kolb had 14 service points, including three aces, and 16 kills for the Lady Crusaders (13-0). Reagan Bernskoetter had seven kills and Olivia Farrow had eight digs.