After win over Postville, Bulldogs’ playoff run halted by Sumner-Fred
Lauryn Johnson led the Bulldogs in digs in both postseason games against Postville and Sumner-Fredericksburg. (Photo by Audrey Posten)
Maddie Keehner battles to get the ball over the net in MFL MarMac's win over the Pirates.
Autumn Shaw smashes a serve in the Oct. 21 match-up with Postville.
Keagan Echard attempts a kill in the playoff game versus Postville.
Avery Lamborn prepares to set the ball across the net against the Pirates.
By Audrey Posten | Times-Register
MFL MarMac opened the volleyball postseason with a dominant victory over Postville, but couldn’t carry the momentum into a second round match-up at Sumner-Fredericksburg.
The Bulldogs defeated the Pirates 3-0 in Monona on Oct. 21, via scores of 25-13, 25-12 and 25-6. They smashed 38 kills and had a season best .304 kill efficiency, while Postville converted just nine kill attempts all night.
Avery Lamborn topped the stat column with 11, followed by Lily Johnson with seven. Devon Meyer netted five kills, and Maddie Keehner and Alexa McElwaine each had three.
Addison Corlett handled 20 of MFL MarMac’s 34 assists, while Morgan Jacobson picked up 14.
Defensively, the Bulldogs were led by 12 digs from Lauryn Johnson. Keehner added eight and Corlett six. Meyer and Kensey Ball had four apiece.
MFL MarMac completed 89 percent of its serves, including a 19 for 21 showing by Kacie Picha. The junior landed three of the team’s 12 aces. Ball was a perfect 12 for 12 with four aces, and Corlett and Keagan Echard each hit seven of eight from the service line.
In the Oct. 23 regional quarterfinal, it was the Cougars who dominated, sweeping the Bulldogs 3-0 with scores of 25-9, 25-11 and 25-11.
Bulldog head coach Becky Johnson characterized Sumner-Fredericksburg as quick and efficient.
“We struggled offensively with their serves and tempo offense. We had a plan to shut down their middle and outside hitters and even practiced this. They had three players we wanted to slow down, but we just couldn’t capitalize on our blocks,” she said.
While the Cougars racked up 33 kills on .343 efficiency, MFL MarMac had just 11 kills and a negative efficiency.
Lily Johnson contributed four kills, Keehner three and Meyer two. Picha and Lamborn each had one kill. Corlett earned eight assists.
Lauryn Johnson again led the Bulldog defense with six digs. Autumn Shaw totaled five, and Lily Johnson, Corlett and Ball picked up four apiece.
MFL MarMac’s serve efficiency dipped to 87.5 percent in this match, while the Cougars neared 92 percent and hit 11 aces. Picha completed all eight of her attempts, and Lauryn Johnson was five for six. Shaw was a perfect four for four with an ace.
The Bulldogs ended the season 7-21 overall and 3-5 in the Upper Iowa Conference. The team graduates four seniors—two who saw extensive playing time.
“Autumn Shaw played a big role for us, playing in almost all six rotations. She is one of the best passers on our team and is an area we don’t have a lot of depth in. Avery Lamborn brought a lot of experience to our team and was one of our go-to hitters,” Johnson said. “Morgan Jacobson and Keagan Echard filled designated server roles, which is extremely important to the momentum of the game. Their roles will be missed and we wish them much success in their future.”
According to Johnson, there’s no doubt the young Bulldogs gained valuable experience this season and will return an exciting amount of players.
After a break from volleyball, she said the team will prep for a new season.
“I’ve said it before: this is a journey we are on, not a destination. I am committed to this program and these athletes. There are big changes coming with our conference next year, but I think it will only make volleyball in northeast Iowa stronger,” Johnson said.
