By Murray Gleffe
Correspondent
PULASKI — The Pulaski girls’ volleyball team continued its winning ways in defeating Ashwaubenon (25-20, 25-13, 25-15) in a Fox River Classic Conference game March 18 at Pulaski High School.
“We have a youthful group who plays lots of club volleyball,” said Bethani Thibodeau, Pulaski head coach. “They have enough experience to get through some situations like we had tonight.”
The Jaguars jumped out to a 13-9 lead behind five early miscues by the Red Raiders.
Pulaski finally settled into its game when freshman outside hitter Alexia Thibodeau connected on back-to-back aces to give the home team a 16-14 lead.
“Alexia is a good server,” said Thibodeau. “I called some strategic spots for her. We talked some things over in the timeout we needed to get better to finish the first game.”
Later, Ashwaubenon closed to 20-19 on a nice serve from Sam Holford.
Pulaski continued to put pressure on the Jaguars in front of the net and won five of the final six points to win the first game.
The Red Raiders carried the momentum into game two, jumping to leads of 14-6 and 20-9 with a short ball attack, which had Ashwaubenon pressing forward.
“We tried mixing up our shows this evening,” Thibodeau said. “I told the girls we didn’t want to keep swinging after kills. I thought everyone played smarter with their shots, wherever it was on the court.”
After building the huge lead, Pulaski closed out the game shortly thereafter.
With a two-game lead in hand for the Red Raiders, the teams went back and forth in game three.
Breanna Schlader kept the Jaguars alive with a couple of kills midway through the third.
“She created some consistency in the front and back row,” said Megan Wierschke, Ashwaubenon head coach. “Though she may not always hit with power, she’s smart about her touch and intentions with the ball.”
Pulaski forged ahead after ripping off four straight points when Ashton Birr connected on an ace.
Later, the Red Raiders would not be denied when Danielle McQuillan and Emily Bruss both blocked a shot after an eight-hit rally.
Pulaski won the final six points of the game to capture the straight-set victory.
“Danielle and Emily both have a great volleyball IQ,” said Thibodeau. “They find the hitter through the net. The girls closed well to each other, and they executed when we needed it.”
Pulaski will be back in action when they travel to Green Bay East March 22, and Ashwaubenon will host Bay Port a day later.