Laconia volleyball's offensive depth showcased itself once again.
The Spartans had four different players record at least six kills on Thursday night to help them sweep Winnebago Lutheran 25-6, 25-8, 25-18.
Eva Engel led the way with nine kills and fellow outside Addi McCauley added seven.
Coach Kaitlyn Wiese said the depth is a key for the Spartans, but the win also highlighted some opportunities for her team to improve.
"I would say that's definitely the strength of this team is all the hitters we have," Wiese said. "Our goal at practice tomorrow will be to move the ball around more.
"Addi and Eva did a really great job of putting the ball down, but we had two other hitters up there that we could have utilized and really made our offense more versatile."
Laconia (2-0 overall, 1-0 in Flyway) got seven kills from middle Tierney Madigan and six from opposite hitter Payton Morgan.
One of the players Wiese said she wants more involved is middle Finley Morgan, who possesses the ability to be unpredictable when she attacks.
"I was yelling a lot from the bench to get the ball to Fin," Wiese said. "She can put a ball down anywhere and she's so hard to read. We need to get the middles way more involved, especially when there's a single block."
Morgan said she remains patient and ready, knowing that her experienced setters, seniors Pallen Kloetzke and Mariska Kees, will find her. Those two setters combined for 31 assists.
"I know that they have my back," Morgan said. "I know the set is going to be there. If it isn't, they didn't miss on purpose and they're going to get the next one."
Morgan had three kills and an ace.
WLA (1-5, 0-1) had little momentum in the first two sets, but had an 8-0 run in the third set with junior Sam Unger serving. The run included a contentious call on a Payton Morgan kill that the referee said went outside the antenna.
Wiese said she wasn't pleased that the Spartans allowed the run, but she was happy with her team responding to close out the sweep.
"I wish set three went a little better," Wiese said. "We had some calls go our way, but I really think that showed their grit and how much they really wanted this."
Finley Morgan said the chemistry on the team allowed them to weather the run.
"I think we're always able to build each other back up and that helps us a lot," Morgan said.
Laconia Stats:
Pallen Kloetzke: 3 digs, 17 assists Mariska Kees: 2 aces, 3 digs, 14 assists
Eva Engel: 2 aces, 3 digs, 9 kills, 3 blocks Addison McCauley: 3 aces, 7 digs, 7 kills
Tierney Madigan: 1 dig, 2 blocks, 7 kills Payton Morgan: 1 dig, 6 kills
Finley Morgan: 1 ace, 3 digs, 3 kills Aubrey Leonard: 1 ace, 26 digs
Emma Bohn: 10 digs
PHOTO GALLERY - WLA at Laconia Volleyball - 9/5/2024
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