By Jacob Heid

ROSHOLT — This type of match was one where good play was trumped by great play. When the lights came on, the stars came out for Rosholt. A heavy-weight tilt between two of the top teams in the CWC-South occurred on Oct 12, with Rosholt beating the once 5-0 Tri-County Penguins 3-0 to grab a share of the conference title. Junior Sarah Trzinski used her playmaking at the net in the win.

The match started, and the offense got out to a fast start for the Hornets. Two straight aces by senior Lexi Lorbecki gave the Hornets an early 7-3 lead, forcing a Tri-County timeout after getting it to 9-3. Rosholt stayed consistent throughout the middle of the first set, all because of the game plan. Rosholt carried an 18-10 lead into the late stages by playing stellar defense.  

“We were trying to run stuff quicker because we knew they were single blocking us,” head coach MaKynna Lesinski said. “We were trying to use that to our advantage to shoot outside quick because we knew the block wasn’t getting there.”

With the Penguins on the ropes, they fought back, but Rosholt took set one convincingly, 25-17. 

The Hornets were more battle-tested in the second set. Both sides stayed within striking distance, with Tri-County being the first to strike. A 4-0 run led to the Penguins leading 9-6. Rosholt trailed 22-19 late after leaving a few points on the court. With Trzinski at the service stripe, Rosholt stormed back to take a 23-22 lead. 

Two big swings by freshman Addi Gagas put the second set on ice. A 25-23 win for the Hornets. Gagas and Trzinski ended the night with 15 and 18 kills, respectively. 

Rosholt got down early in the third but held its composure. They continued to turn defense into offense on the way to an 11-4 run that put them up 13-10. The Hornets eventually closed out a 25-22 third-set victory to sweep Tri-County. 

Lesinski talked after the game about how the whole team helped Trzinski and Gagas get opportunities to slam home points. 

“If it wasn’t for our back row who couldn’t pass, and our setters who couldn’t set, they couldn’t get those kills,” she stated. “Everyone all together played amazing. I am proud of them.”

Senior Lili Lorbecki led the team with 23 assists in the win. Junior Natalie Rink finished the night with 14 digs. 

The Hornets play their final regular season game on Oct 13 against Iola-Scandinavia and then will focus on their regional matchup against Port Edwards at home on Oct 18.