Lady Wildcats top Cedar for SubDistrict title

No one would argue that when one looks back on the 2020 volleyball season, a Hartington-Newcastle fan would have to see it as a success.

First, the Lady Wildcats got things turned around from a slow start after five losses to finish 19-13 overall and advance to a D-1 District final at Wisner-Pilger.

There, the Lady Wildcats were eliminated from state tournament consideration with a 3-0 setback (25-14, 25-18, 25-21) to Archbishop Bergan.

But it was also a week where the Lady Wildcats captured the Sub-District title at the expense of rivals and hosts Cedar Catholic 3-0 (25-18, 25-21, 27-25) in an emphatic performance of grit and clutch play.

“That was awesome,” Hartington-Newcastle senior Kayden Jueden said. “I don’t think our school has beaten Cedar in a very long time. That game was the most fun one I’ve ever played in. There wasn’t a moment in the game that we thought we couldn’t do it. We’ve never played that calmly in a big game before. As a senior, it definitely makes me emotional. They are a very good team so to beat them was awesome.”

Jueden had 16 kills and 12 digs to spark the win as the Lady Wildcats continued its late run of play, having beaten Boyd County in the previous round.

“It was some of the best volleyball I had seen from them all year,” HNS head coach Leigh Haselhorst said. “They were playing together and smart. I couldn’t even pick out who had strong games because I think it was a total team effort. When I say total team effort, I even include my bench. We undoubtedly have the greatest supporters on the bench.

The bench is important to Haselhorst, not only for the emotional support they provide, but also because of their depth.

“A lot of those girls are our future so that makes me so excited to see them so involved,” she said.

Haselhorst said the defense was a big key to the win over Cedar.

“I was really proud of our defense in the Cedar game. They run a much faster tempo than what we are used to seeing. Our back row was phenomenal and didn’t let anything hit the floor. Erin Folkers (12 digs), Olivia Grutsch (16 digs), and Kayden ran the show back there.”

Cedar Catholic 18 21 25 Hartington-Newcastle 25 25 27

KILLS HNS - Kayden Jueden, 16; Erin Folkers, 8; Keanna Korth, 3; Lauren Howell, 2; Alivia Morten, 1. Cedar - Laney Kathol, 11; Brynn Wortmann, 9; Makenna Noecker, 9; Brooklyn Kuehn, 8; Gracie Dickes, 2.

ACE SERVES HNS - Keeley Wiepen, 3; Alivia Morten, 1; Olivia Grutsch, 1. Cedar - Cady Uttecht, 5; Megan Heimes, 2; Makenna Noecker, 1.

BLOCKS HNS Keanna Korth, 2; Kayden Jueden, 2; Erin Folkers, 2; Lauren Howell, 1. Cedar - Laney Kathol, 3; Makenna Noecker, 3; Cady Uttecht, 1; Brooklyn Kuehn, 1.

DIGS HNS - Olivia Grutsch, 16; Alivia Morten, 14; Erin Folkers, 12; Kayden Jueden, 12; Kennadi Peitz, 6; Keeley Wiepen, 4; Keanna Korth, 4. Cedar - Megan Heimes, 17; Brynn Wortmann, 13; Olivia Hamilton, 7; Makenna Noecker, 7; Meredith McGregor, 5; Cady Uttecht, 3; Gracie Dickes, 1.

SET ASSISTS HNS - Alivia Morten, 28; Lauren Howell, 1; Olivia Grutsch, 1. Cedar - Cady Uttecht, 22; Meredith McGregor, 12; Olivia Hamilton, 5.

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