Lady Wildcats finish out the L&C Conference Tournament with a split

HARTINGTON — The Lady Wildcats of Hartington-Newcastle were able to take care of business against Boyd County Monday in the SubDistrict opener, and to set up a title contest Tuesday against the Lady Trojans.

Win or lose Tuesday, it’s hard to see the 2020 season as anything but a success especially the way such a young squad wrapped things up, heading into the postseason with a 17-12 record.

The Lady Wildcats went 3-1 at Lewis and Clark Conference tournament play, beating Creighton 2-0 (25-14, 25-17) and Wakefield 2-1 (25-23, 20-25, 25-17) before dropping a 2-0 (25-19, 25-21) decision to Winside before wrapping things up with a 2-0 (25-19, 25-15) win over Randolph.

“We didn’t play our game against Winside,” HNHS head coach Leigh Haselhorst said. “We made too many errors.”

The Lady Cats finished out Conference against Randolph after and beat them in two with scores of 25-19 and 25-15.

“It was not how we wanted to end the conference tournament, but the girls learned how important it was to take care of our side,” Haselhorst said.

“I have been really happy with the effort at practice the last week. I think the girls have a great attitude coming into SubDistricts. I am so fortunate to have all my girls healthy and playing together. I think this group is really special and when they play together and have fun, they are unstoppable.”

Senior Kayden Jueden (10 kills) and Alivia Morten (25 assists) led the way against Creighton while Jueden caused people to ask the floor if it was OK after she pounded 23 kills in the Wakefield victory.

Keeley Wiepen added four aces and Olivia Grutsch picked up 28 digs in that win while Morten finished with 32 assists.

Jueden added 12 kills in the loss to Winside and Erin Folkers led the attack against Randolph with six kills.

Jueden is feeling good about how this young team has come together and allowed the older girls to go out with good feelings.

“I am really proud and super excited for the underclassmen who have grown so much and have shown how good they can be,” Jueden said. “It’s fun to play with them and watch them grow every single day – not just in games, but in practices. You are getting better and playing with your friends.”

Jueden is going to graduate next spring and head off to the collegiate life. But being surrounded with so many talented underclassmen makes her wonder what if she was still a Lady Wildcat for one more year.

“It’s a bittersweet feeling: Four years of my life are already done, it’s crazy,” she said. “I think that their team next year will have a lot of potential. They can definitely grow into something so much better than what they already are. I am really excited to see how they adjust without the seniors. I hope to cheer them on a lot.”

Winside 25 25

Hartington-Newcastle 19 21

KILLS - HNS Kayden Jueden, 12; Erin Folkers, 8; Lauren Howell, 2; Keeley Wiepen, 1; Keanna Korth, 1.

ACE SERVES HNS - Alivia Morten, 2; Kayden Jueden, 2; Olivia Grutsch, 2.

BLOCKS HNS - Alivia Morten, 1; Kayden Jueden, 1; Lauren Howell, 1.

DIGS Cedar - Olivia Grutsch, 11; Erin Folkers, 10; Kayden Jueden, 9; Lauren Howell, 3; Kennadi Peitz, 2; Makenna Clarkson, 2; Alivia Morten, 1; Keeley Wiepen, 1; Keanna Korth, 1.

SET ASSISTS HNS - Alivia Morten, 24.

Hartington-Newcastle 25 25

Randolph 19 15

KILLS - Randolph - Ella Scott, 5; Keely Pinkelman, 3; Emmalee Harder, 3; Abby Schmitt, 2; Jaiden Taylor, 2; Erin Engel, 2. HNS - Keanna Korth, 7; Erin Folkers, 6; Kayden Jueden, 5; Alivia Morten, 1.

ACE SERVES Randolph - Erin Engel, 2; Jaiden Taylor, 1. HNS - Makenna Clarkson, 8; Keeley Wiepen, 4.

BLOCKS Randolph - Jaiden Taylor, 1. HNS - Kayden Jueden, 1.

DIGS HNS - Kayden Jueden, 12; Olivia Grutsch, 7; Makenna Clarkson, 6; Alivia Morten, 5; Lauren Howell, 4; Keeley Wiepen, 3; Kennadi Peitz, 2; Erin Folkers, 2; Keanna Korth, 2. Randolph - Gracie Eledge, 7; Erin Engel, 5; Jaiden Taylor, 4; Ella Scott, 3; Abby Schmitt, 2; Keely Pinkelman, 2; Emmalee Harder, 1.

SET ASSISTS HNS - Alivia Morten, 15; Olivia Grutsch, 1; Keeley Wiepen, 1. Randolph - Erin Engel, 11; Abby Schmitt, 4; Keeley Pinkelman, 1.

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