New combinations lead Helias past Hickman in volleyball

Helias and Hickman warm up for their volleyball match at Rackers Fieldhouse Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2017.
Helias and Hickman warm up for their volleyball match at Rackers Fieldhouse Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2017.

The Helias Lady Crusaders used some new faces in new places during Tuesday night's volleyball match against the Hickman Kewpies.

And it looked it at times. But they still got the same old result as Helias defeated Hickman 25-21, 25-23 at Rackers Fieldhouse.

"We wanted to give some players the opportunity for some varsity time," Helias coach David Harris said. "Some of them stepped up, others struggled a little bit in some situations.

"Plus we had some different lineups. We were working on different things, looking to the future just in case of injuries or whatever."

Helias led by as many as four points early in the first game and held a 12-8 advantage before Hickman mounted a comeback.

The Kewpies scored eight of the next nine points to take a 16-13 lead. Four of Hickman's points came on Helias hitting errors.

The Lady Crusaders battled back to tie it at 20. Helias then closed it out by scoring five of the final six points, the winner on an ace by Bradi Berhorst.

Hickman led by as many as five points in the second game, the final time coming at 18-13.

"Anytime you start to give a team confidence, they play better," Harris said.

Helias cut the deficit to within one at 19-18, then pulled into a tie at 21 on an ace by Berhorst. Helias led 24-21 before consecutive points by Hickman cut the Lady Crusaders' lead to one. Helias won the match on a kill by Ellie Rockers.

"The girls don't like to lose," Harris said. "I think we started talking a little bit more, making smarter decisions."

It was a smart decision to win, at least for the immediate future for the Lady Crusaders.

"They might not have enjoyed practice too much (today)," Harris said, smiling. "Well, truthfully, it probably wouldn't have changed much.

"But it was good to see that we were able to pull both of them out."

And good that several Lady Crusaders got to share in the victory.

"Those girls work very hard at practice and they deserve a chance to play," Harris said. "Practice is one thing, playing in front of a crowd during a game is something different at the varsity level. It's a different experience."

Helias had a different experience Saturday, playing some of the best teams in the country at the St. Joseph's Academy Tournament of Champions. The Lady Crusaders went 2-1 in pool play before falling in their match in the bracket portion of the event.

"We didn't play up to our potential," Harris said. "Some of that was our competition, some of that was self-inflicted.

"You're playing some of the best teams in the nation and it's tough."

Helias (17-2) will host Rock Bridge on Thursday. Hickman is now 8-10.

Helias won Tuesday night's JV match in two games. Claire Bonnot had 19 assists and 13 digs for the Lady Crusaders, while Gracie Bernskoetter totaled 14 digs. Jordan Benward led with nine kills, while Molly Bruns added six. Esther Tharp had two blocks for Helias (12-4-2).

Helias won the freshmen match 25-11, 25-19. Ella Randolph and Helen Pool had seven digs each, while Abby Magee totaled six assists and Natalie Schlup added five. Magee also had 12 service points, including four aces, wile Ashley Fennewald had seven points. Cadie Buschjost finished with two blocks for Helias (13-2).