Sep. 13 -- GRAND FORKS -- Earlier this week, after losing two of the first three sets to Barnesville, East Grand Forks Senior High talked about playing to its capability.
The Green Wave responded with a remarkable 25-2 win in the fourth set en route to a match win.
"Great serving and a lot of confidence," Senior High coach Paula Devine said. "We didn't make many mistakes in that set. They just buckled down. Nothing hit the floor. I think we only had three servers."
The 25-2 set showcased Senior High's potential, as the Wave sit at 8-3 so far this season and currently are riding a seven-match winning streak.
The winning streak includes a 5-0 mark at a tournament in Ada in which the Green Wave beat Kittson County Central in the championship match, avenging a loss a few days prior.
Senior High returns plenty of experience including seniors Ellie Marcott, McKaylee Fitzpatrick, Emma Marcott, Addi Kujawa, Sara Christiansen, Taylor Bergh and Ella Gerber.
"When we're good, it's because of balance," Devine said. "In the state in our last game, we had three people almost identical in kills in Ellie, McKaylee and Addi. Having that balance where you can't focus on one hitter really helps us.
"We have solid setting with Emma Marcott. She's really working hard and doing a nice job putting the ball where these kids want it. We also have three, four back row players who have been solid in both serve receive and defense."
The perfect record at the Ada Tournament helped put the Wave back on strong path after losing three of their first four matches.
"It was a good bounce back for us," Devine said. "We needed it. At Kittson, we played well but got swept. It didn't feel good. We definitely played solid in Ada. It's the first time we've won that tournament, and we've gone for many, many years."
Key returners: Jr. MH Jacie Reardon (128 kills); jr. DS Piper Severson (255 digs), sr. OH Lauren Reardon (191 kills, 236 digs).
Top newcomers: jr. DS Halle Kohlmeier, soph. OH Marley Uhlir, sr. OPP Mya Aure.
Coach Walters says: "We went to Bismarck that first weekend and, as far as scores, didn't look great but as far as what we learned from lineups and communication has greatly improved and the team chemistry has really improved. We're running a more tempo offense. We had to run a slower offense the last two years. This year, we're more capable of a faster offense, which really helps setting up both of our middles who seem to be hitting it well. That quickness is very important right now."
Key returners: Sr. S-OH Emerson Byron (40 kills, 219 assists, 130 digs); jr. OH Lizzy Kunz (129 kills, 66 blocks); sr. OPP Payton Bergeron (21 kills).
Top newcomers: Sr. MH Sheigh Panos; soph. MH Gabby Useldinger; soph. MH Jocelyn Berg; soph. OPP Paige Anderson; sr. L Aila Effhauser; soph. OH Karsyn Grube; sr. DS-OH Giovanna Lima.
Coach Olson says: "We knew that we had a lot to replace from last year. We knew we'd be young and inexperienced. We've been playing with kids in different roles and positions, and I think that experimentation will continue until we see kids develop as the season progresses. I think we'll see a lot of growth. It'll be a roller coaster in the beginning with the inexperience of varsity speed. We certainly have the talent to be there in the end. It'll just take time to be comfortable on the court and in the roles we're choosing to place them in."
2023 finish: 23-7, lost to Wadena-Deer Creek in section semifinals.
Key returners: Sr. Ellie Marcott (234 kills, 368 digs); sr. McKaylee Fitzpatrick (37 aces, 202 kills); sr. Emma Marcott (49 aces, 490 assists); sr. Addi Kujawa (231 kills); sr. Sara Christiansen (281 digs); sr. Taylor Bergh (222 digs); sr. Ella Gerber (77 kills).
Top newcomers: Jr. Laurel Kolstoe; jr. Ava Kleinvachter; jr. Tatem Votava.
Coach Devine says: "I think the first couple of weeks we were putting too much pressure on ourselves. We didn't play well the first couple weeks, then we rebounded at the Ada tournament and avenged a loss to Kittson Central in the championship game. We had lost up there 3-0. Just another chance to play them and being successful was really good for our confidence."
2023 finish: 17-9 overall, lost to Stephen-Argyle in section tournament second round.
Key returners: Soph. OH Lydia Riskey (280 kills, 257 digs, 42 aces); soph. S Finley Horken (745 assists, 184 digs, 27 aces); soph. MH Lexi Lawrence (206 kills); sr. MH Reese Chwialkowski (70 kills, 133 digs, 29 aces).
Top newcomers: Fr. OH Adley Vigness; soph. OH Claire Adolphson, jr. DS Izzy Cwikla; sr. DS Rose Votava.
Coach Vonasek says: "They've been up and down. We need to play better defense and pass better and that has been our focus. When we can get the ball to our hitters, we can be unstoppable. We have lots of options."