Not an easy way to return to play

RIB LAKE VOLLEYBALL

The Rib Lake volleyball team returned to action Tuesday after a two-week quarantine period and didn’t exactly get to ease back into action.

In its first match since Sept. 24, the team drew the Marawood South’s top team, Stratford, and was swept 3-0.

The Tigers are now 8-1 in Marawood Conference matches this year and 10-2 overall. Rib Lake remained winless in just five matches played this fall and, suddenly, the WIAA Division 4 post-season is less than a week away.

Rib Lake head coach Barb Anderson said the Lady Redmen faced a tall task Tuesday, literally and figuratively.

“Stratford had three girls 6 feet and taller and then their outsides were 5-10,” Anderson said. “They were able to go right over our block. At times we were right where we needed to be, we just weren’t low enough. This will be an area of focus as we move forward.”

Stratford won the first set 25-7. Rib Lake stayed in closer contact in the second one, falling 25-13. The Tigers emphatically put the match away with a 25-5 win in the third set.

“Missing Tia Bube was evident in our serve receive,” Anderson said. “Kyla Kennedy really stepped up her game and had some great passes on serve receive. We just needed to finish. Kyla also had eight digs.” Emma Winter led Rib Lake with four kills and Josie Scheithauer and Danielle Mann each added three kills. Mann got the start for the unavailable Bube. Scheithauer served an ace and had four assists. Emily Rodman had a kill.

Molly Heiser led Rib Lake with six assists and had two kills. Reagan Reinhardt and Nellie Hopkins each added a dig.

Rib Lake is home tonight, Thursday, when it meets the Edgar Wildcats at 7 p.m. Despite its lack of recent activity, the team drew the fourth seed in its fiveteam WIAA Division 4 regional bracket and will host fifth-seeded Northland Lutheran Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the opening round. The winner draws a trip to topseeded Prentice on Thursday, Oct. 22.