NorthWood Volleyball: Panthers Pass Opening Test
NAPPANEE – The NorthWood volleyball team, despite school not being in session yet, took what was pretty much the equivalent of its first pop quiz of the season Monday night.
The Panthers came up aces in the season opener versus Bethany Christian, but a much bigger test for them will come Tuesday evening.
NorthWood, which has great expectations this fall thanks to a large group of talented returning players, will travel to face perennial power Penn Tuesday.
The Panthers, powered by a record-setting night from senior star Kennedy Wiens, dispatched of the Bruins 3-0 in a steamy Panther Pit.
Wiens, a four-year standout and one of six seniors this fall for NorthWood, slammed down 11 kills in the 25-18, 25-18, 25-23 win over the outsized yet scrappy Bruins.
The excellent outside hitter moves into third place on the program’s all-time kills list. She passed Audrey Duncan, who now coaches the NorthWood C team.
“It’s big, but this is a team sport and I could not do it without my teammates,” said Wiens of her accomplishment. “I just want to be a vocal leader this season and encourage my team.”
Wiens, who is still looking at her college options including the possibility of attending Indiana University and participating in its rowing team, is being counted on to do a lot this year after compiling 432 kills and 383 digs as a junior. The Panthers finished 17-17 overall and 2-5 in the Northern Lakes Conference a year ago.
“I expect even more out of Kennedy this year than last year,” noted NorthWood coach Hilary Laidig of her star. “That’s asking a lot, but she is a kid who can handle it. We’re going to depend a lot of her both hitting and passing the ball for us, but she is very capable.”
The Panthers, who started four seniors Monday night, had a few hiccups along the way versus the Bruins.
NorthWood showed some jitters and maybe a little case of looking ahead to facing Penn with the main culprit being some breakdowns in the passing department.
“This was a great first match for us to get out there and play,” noted Laidig, now in her eighth season. “We’ve played Penn most times as our opener and this was a good first match to get in before playing them.
“I think we had some nerves come into play tonight and I’m not sure why since we do have a veteran team. Bethany is so scrappy, but I also think that our girls were mentally feeling it from two-a-days for the past two weeks.
“Our kids know that we have to put the ball where our setter can get it with our passing. When we do, good things will happen.”
Laidig’s team, which lost eight matches last year of either the fifth game (or third game if in a tournament) variety, played well enough to get the win Monday night. The hosts were never threatened seriously until the Bruins rallied late in the third set. Wiens ended the match with a gorgeous tip kill to clinch the victory.
Laidig is anxious to see what type of emotional and physical effort she gets from her team at Penn Tuesday night. The Kingsmen went 31-3 last season and return eight letter winners, including six seniors for coach Sarah Hendrick’s squad.
“My expectations this season are high for this team and Tuesday night will be a great test for us.” said Laidig. “I want to see us come out with a fiery start. Starting is the key for us. I want to see us come out with a fire to play and excited to play Penn. I want to see the fight in my girls and see us battle them and play big.”
Wiens led the offense with her 11 kills. Senior Haylee Pennington powered down 10 kills for the winners.
Junior Whitney Gessinger, the team’s libero, had 15 digs. Sophomore Gracie Clark had nine digs.
Senior setter Courtney Lengacher had 32 assists and a team-high five aces. Senior Kenzie Moren had three aces and sophomore Maddy Payne led the Panthers with three blocks.
Bethany, which finished 22-10 last season, was led by outside hitter Tarynn Clark, one of three seniors for coach Lois Mast’s team.
NorthWood won the junior varsity match 25-21, 25-11.
NorthWood, which begins classes on Wednesday, has a busy opening week. The Panthers play at Penn Tuesday, host Lakeland Thursday and then take part in the Tom Heck Tournament back at Penn on Saturday.