With their two matches last week the Henning Hornet volleyball team improved their overall record to 16-3 and their Park Region Conference record to 4-0.

On Tuesday, the Hornets traveled to Battle Lake for an afternoon Homecoming match-up, and on Thursday the Hornets hosted Bertha-Hewitt. The Hornets defeated Battle Lake 3-2 (25-14, 22-25, 21-25, 25-18 and 15-13) and Bertha-Hewitt 3-0 (25-19, 25-17 and 25-19).

The game against Battle Lake was like it always is; hot, loud and competitive, as both teams are really wanted to win for fans. The Hornets came out on fire and controlled the first set from start to finish. In the second set Henning started out strong again, but stopped attacking and Battle Lake took advantage of that. The score was back and forth the whole set from point 12, tied at 21 apiece and then the Battlers were able to finish the set with a couple solid serves and aggressive hitting. 

Set three was very much like set two, both teams made little runs and then let the other back in. Battle Lake took set three as they were just more aggressive offensively than the Hornets. In set four the Hornets were able to get their offense going more, which made it difficult on the Battlers. The Hornets were able to take set four and send the match into a fifth and deciding set. 

The fifth set was like sets two and three, back and forth with runs of points. The Hornets were up 12-6, only to let the Battlers battle back and tie the game at 12 apiece. The Hornets were able to side out and get Abbigale Godding to the serving line, she served aggressively and we were able to take home the victory. 

Overall Henning stats said they played well, however, head coach Kristy Finck said the team would get stuck in a rotation and let them score too many points. As a team Henning had 54 kills, served 96 percent, the serve receive was 92 percent efficient to the setter and the blocking was good, as they had 12 ace blocks on the day. Three girls had double digit kills; Brynn Reinbold had 12 and Addison Bode and Jocelyn Oseien each had 11. Alivia Emter led the team with 48 set assists. Bode had 30 digs in the match and Abbigale Godding had 2 ace serves. Hailey Fiskum had a good night serving and digging up hard hits in the back row and Haley Hanson and Lily Grieger were a force at the net with their blocking. Bella Olson and Zoey Guber kept the team up beat with their positive energy and hustle on the court.

In the match against Bertha-Hewitt, the Hornets knew they had to play with more energy and be more aggressive on the offensive end of the match, as the Bears have a really strong middle hitter and are a very scrappy team who can keep the ball alive. Henning’s goal was to serve aggressively, attack from all positions and make their defense move. The Hornets wanted them to pass the ball behind the 10-foot line so it was difficult for their setter to set their middle. The Hornets did a really good job with their game strategy. On the night the Hornets served 97 percent and had 13 ace serves.  They also had 37 kills in the three sets that Henning played and their passing was 89 percent efficient to the setter.  

Lily Grieger and Addison Bode led the team in kills with 10 apiece, Brynn Reinbold had 8, Haley Hanson had 4 and Jocelyn Oseien added 3. Alivia Emter led the team in set assists with 33 and ace serves with 5. Bode had 17 digs and Bella Olson had 12. Haley Hanson and Alivia Emter also did a nice job blocking as they each had 3 apiece. 

The Hornets next game is on Thursday when they will host PRC opponent the Menahga Braves. The Hornets will be honoring their parents for “Parent’s Night.”