Nikki Kueck knew her players were capable of playing well this season.
Yet the Calvary Lutheran volleyball coach might not have expected the Lady Lions (2-0) to defeat Linn in straight sets 25-11, 25-15 on Friday. They had played the Wildcats on Aug. 15 in a scrimmage, and did not have the same edge then.
"We weren't that dominant at that point," Kueck said, "so I didn't know quite I know what my girls were capable of yet, and they put that out there tonight We played awesome tonight, that's what I expect of them when they step on the floor, that's what I know they're capable of when they step on the floor."
The Lady Lions made their 2016 home debut in front of a packed crowd. The fans stayed loud throughout the match, with the student section chanting "ace," cheering on their classmates and getting on their feet and cheering once the Lady Lions reached 24 points in the second set.
Calvary Lutheran does not lose many home games in volleyball, and Kueck said the crowd is a big reason why.
"It's super exciting, you can tell by the girls and the excitement they had," Kueck said, "and the excitement that the fans had, they love playing here, they love playing at home and having the home crowd behind us, and just being here and getting the first win of the home season they just love it."
Kueck was impressed by her team's cohesion on the court Friday, particularly on defense. The Lady Lions' final point came after a 39-second long rally, one of a few lengthy rallies they scored on.
Seven of the Lady Lions' eight varsity players returned from last year's squad. Still, having a veteran roster was not the only reason the players were all on the same page.
"Yeah we've got four seniors, but then we've got a junior, two sophomores and a freshman that also get a lot of quality playing time as well," Kueck said. "So we've got four strong veterans and four that have experience, but maybe not as much as the others. Or at least not as much time on our varsity squad.
"The seniors are definitely strong leaders, they really are. They are a good group of leaders that I trust all of them to lead us this season and in the future."
Libero McKenzie Schulte led the Lady Lions with seven digs, sophomore middle hitter Olivia Bexten had five and senior setter Rebecca Thompson, sophomore setter Grace Smith and junior outside hitter Allison Proctor each had one.
Offensively, Bexten led the team with seven kills, junior Katie Goodin had six, Thompson and senior outside hitter Kyra Wiegers had three, Proctor had two and Smith and freshman outside hitter Maddie Layson each had one. Smith finished with 12 assists, Thompson had 11 and Layson had one.
Layson, Goodin and Smith all led the Lady Lions in aces with three each. Thompson also finished with one.
"I definitely expected them to come out and play well," Kueck said, "especially after watching warmup. They did a good job in warmup and I knew it was going to be an exciting game."
The Lady Lions' junior varsity squad also won in straight sets, 25-16, 25-13.
Calvary Lutheran looks to carry its momentum into its next match at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Smithton. The Lady Lions won 25-11, 25-19 against the Tigers last season.
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