To put yourself in position to win at the end, you have to be battle-tested throughout the season. With a scheduled sprinkled with ranked opponents from Classes B, C1 and C2, the Malcolm volleyball team is setting itself up for a postseason run.
The No. 9 Clippers traveled to Hastings Sept. 24 and, for the second straight year, won the Adams Central Invitational. On the way to the title, Malcolm picked up wins against the No. 10 Patriots (26-24, 22-25, 25-15) and Class C2 No. 6 Centura (25-17, 25-19). Malcolm opened the tournament with a 25-16, 25-18 sweep of Gering.
“This last week was much needed,” Malcolm coach Amber Dolliver said. “Playing good teams that will push us and make us better is important.”
In the semifinal match against Adams Central, the Clippers played catch up the entire first set. The Patriots had its largest lead of the set when they went up 18-13. Malcolm went on a 7-2 run to tie it 20-20. After Adams Central jumped back ahead 24-21, the Clippers denied three set points and scored five straight to take the first set as Abby Zegar ended it with an ace serve.
The script was flipped in the second set as Malcolm led by as many as seven points before the Patriots stormed back and out-dueled the Clippers with a 12-3 run to close it out.
Malcolm finished set three on a 13-4 run to earn a spot in the title match against Centura.
“Certainly, I wish we could always sweep,” Dolliver said. “But the longer matches help us mentally. We’re doing a great job overcoming mistakes and fighting back. I like this team’s fight and desire to win.”
Malcolm started the week with road tests as it traveled to Conestoga for a Sept. 19 triangular where it downed the Cougars (25-17, 25-7) before needing all three sets to beat a scrappy Syracuse team, 25-21, 21-25, 25-21.
Halle Dolliver and Diamond Sedlak teamed up for 16 and 14 kills respectively in the win over the Rockets while Lauryn England dished out 25 assists. Madison Schultz dropped in four service aces with Zegar leading the team with 13 digs.
The next night, Malcolm traveled to York for another triangular. The Clippers put away Plattsmouth (25-7, 25-23) before upending the Class B No. 7 Dukes, 21-25, 25-21, 25-15.
Dolliver slammed 27 kills to the floor against York while Sedlak added 12. England had 34 assists with Zegar laying out for 15 digs.
“Abby (Zegar) is our rock,” Dolliver said. “Her serve receive, defense and leadership have been huge. She’s playing at a whole new level. She works extremely hard, continually asking what she can do better. She’s been a huge part of our success.”
While big numbers look impressive, coaches know the path to success is not always found on the stat sheet.
“Our team chemistry is really good right now,” Dolliver said. “These girls are working hard for each other. They encourage each other and have fun.
“Madison is serving really well and Addy (Hanson) and Jordan (Brown) are making a difference in the middle. They’re getting important touches and blocks that we need.”
The Clippers (19-1) have another tough week ahead. Malcolm defeated Wahoo (6-8) 18-25, 15-25, 25-22, 25-20, 15-8 Sept. 27 before welcoming top-ranked North Bend Central (19-0) for a Thursday night clash. Saturday, Oct. 1, the Clippers travel to Columbus for the Scotus Central Catholic Invite that includes the Shamrocks (11-6), No. 8 Lakeview (11-4), Class B No. 6 Bennington (13-4) and Class D1 No. 2 Norfolk Catholic (12-1).
“The training never stops,” Dolliver said. “Now, we gear up by breaking down another tough group of teams, putting in new plays and fine tuning the little things.”
