Unhappy with the way they played in Wednesday’s loss at Scottsburg, Columbus North was anxious to atone for that performance when it hosted Terre Haute North on Saturday.
The Bull Dogs managed to do that by cruising to a 25-16, 25-18, 25-14 Conference Indiana victory.
“This was a great game after a game we all felt like we could have done better in at Scottsburg,” junior hitter Karen Dutro said. “It’s good to come out and just show that we still know how we can play and get the momentum going.”
Bull Dogs coach Jenna Ortega made a slight change for the match, moving junior Elaina Penrod to outside hitter and freshman Abby Dean back to the right side. With those two standing around 6-foot and teaming with the 6-1 Dutro and 6-2 senior Kennedy Horn, Columbus North had a big height advantage.
“I think that’s important, but we also had incredible defense,” Dutro said. “We were very scrappy, and that helped us, too.”
The Bull Dogs (7-11, 2-1) trailed 9-6 in the first set when they got a sideout and eight consecutive points with Lexi Denny at the service line. They trailed 2-0 in the second set before a sideout and five straight points with Lucy Wilson serving.
The Patriots led 7-4 in the third set before Columbus North went on a 13-2 run behind the serving of Horn, Denny and Ally Wettschurack.
“I think the whole team just brought a bunch of energy and intensity from the beginning of the game, which is what we really needed,” Dutro said. “At the beginning of each set, we kind of started slow, but we just continued pushing throughout each set.”
Dutro pounded 12 kills, Denny recorded 13 assists, Dean had five blocks, Morgan Osborn notched seven digs and Wilson served four aces to lead the Bull Dogs.
Also for Columbus North, Horn and Elaina Penrod each tallied seven kills; Dutro and Horn each had four blocks and Horn and Denny each added three aces. Reese Edwards contributed nine assists, and Wilson posted four digs.
“I think they did great,” Ortega said. “They’ve adjusted well and got it done. So I’m really proud of them coming out and especially on a Saturday morning. Those are always kind of tricky days, but they came out and were on fire and got the job done. I think everybody had fun today and played their part.”
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