First match jitters aside, the Lourdes volleyball team did just about everything right on Thursday in taking a three-set victory over Sidney, Iowa, 25-13, 25-6, and 25-13.
Lourdes showed a great deal of emotion in the pre-game huddle and some of that might have led to some early-match miscues, but, after the team settled down, points started flowing to the Knight side of the scoreboard.
The Knights served the ball tough and the team's passing firmed up as well.
"It's even more than I expected," said Coach Michelle Kreifels. "You never know how you are going to come out and play."
Coach Kreifels acknowledged that first-match jitters were a factor early, but added that with a lot of new faces in the line-up, that was to be expected. Even the more experienced players, Coach Kreifels said, needed a bit of time to get into the flow.
In addition to the win, Coach Kreifels said she was pleased that her team played with a high amount of energy for the whole match.
Now the team will look to transfer that energy into a tourney championship.
Lourdes will be looking to secure its fourth straight Weeping Water tourney title on Saturday. That's certainly a rare feat, but the Knights seem to have the right mind set to get it done.
"The girls are just very focused. They are very united as a team," Coach Kreifels said. "They want to get it done."
