After a long start to the season, the Malcolm volleyball team finally got to play a pair of home games last week.
The Clippers hosted Wahoo and North Bend Central Sept. 29 and Oct. 1, winning both matches in the elementary gym as the high school gym floor wasn’t quite ready for competition.
“Even though we played in the elementary gym, it was nice to play in front of our fans and the student section. It was a loud environment so our girls were a little nervous, but it will help us in the long run,” Coach Amber Dolliver said.
Malcolm defeated Wahoo 25-14, 26-24, 25-15. Laurel Johnson led the team with 13 kills, and Payton Dolliver and Morgan Wondercheck had 11 kills each. Alli Blair set up 20 assists.
On defense, Maya Wondercheck picked up 14 digs and Dolliver added 10.
MHS took down North Bend 25-15, 25-5, 25-15 two nights later. Johnson put down 10 kills and the team finished with 10 ace serves. Blair had 17 assists, and Blair Duzik added 14.
Malcolm played at the Columbus Classic Oct. 3 and went 2-1 on the day. Coach Dolliver said it was a hard tournament, and Malcolm needed three sets to defeate North Bend (21-25, 25-14, 25-15) and Norfolk Catholic (23-25, 25-19, 25-17).
“Both of these teams can play really well and if they can pass, they have great hitters,” Coach Dolliver said. “I don’t like dropping a set but it does put our girls in situations where we know it’s a must win which again will help us for the remainder of the season.”
In the North Bend match, Payton Dolliver led the team with 18 kills and 14 digs, and Johnson added 10 kills. Lexi Valish served four aces, and Blair delivered 25 assists.
Payton Dolliver recorded 20 kills against Norfolk Catholic, with Johnson and Morgan Wondercheck adding 12 each. Maya Wondercheck picked up 17 digs to lead the defense. Dolliver notched 12 and Morgan Wondercheck and Johnson 11 digs each.
Blair set up 30 assists and Duzik added 16.
The final match pitted Malcolm against Pierce, a rematch of last season’s district final.
“We had a lot going against us. We were tired, and Pierce was out for revenge from last year’s district finals game,” Coach Dolliver said. “They are a top 5 C-1 team and played really well.”
Noria Herian, a Drake University volleyball commit, is one of the best players in the state and showed it against the Clippers, the coach said.
“They were the better team on Saturday and deserved to win,” she said. “On the bright side, we did not play our best ball so if and when we play them again, it will be a much better game.”
Payton Dolliver finished with nine kills and four ace serves. Maya Wondercheck picked up 10 digs, and Blair set eight assists.
Coach Dolliver said the team’s younger players are doing a good job. The two Wonderchecks, Addie Kaczor, Loghan Anderson and Duzik are seeing their first varsity action and are helping the team.
“They bring energy, confidence, and a desire to win. They also come to practice everyday wanting to get better,” Coach Dolliver said.
The Clippers are still working on positions and rotations, “trying to figure out who is going to earn the right to play,” she said.
The Clippers (17-3) will host the Trailblazer Conference tournament Oct. 6-10. Malcolm will play Plattsmouth at 5 p.m. to open the tournament Oct. 5. The championship match is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 10, at 1 p.m.
