The McAuley Catholic Warriors earned their 13th win of the season in commanding, straight-set fashion (25-16, 25-14, 25-12) on Thursday against the visiting Purdy Eagles.
McAuley took care of business and did not allow a one-win Purdy team to hang around to build any confidence.
Purdy led 2-1 in the first set and that proved to be the Eagles’ only lead all match. Additionally, there were only three tie scores with two of them happening in the first set.
“I was very proud of the girls,” McAuley coach Sarah Nangle said. “We took a mental health day (Wednesday) and didn’t have practice. We did a lot of team bonding stuff. We went and had ice cream, and I think tonight you could really see that we gelled more as a team than we have all season. We have changed our motto. We’re more focused on our faith, being a family, and being more consistent.
“I think the girls did a good job the entire three sets of staying up, running different plays that we’ve been working on at practice, and being aggressive.”
Senior setter and outside hitter Lily Black finished with six kills and five assists, senior libero JoJo Wheeler finished with 12 digs and committed no passing errors in the contest, junior setter and outside hitter Kloee Williamson added four kills, three assists and five aces, and sophomore Jadyn LaFerla came through with three blocks and four more aces.
The Warriors fared well Thursday with their service game.
“We have been a very strong serving team,” Nangle said. “We are good at placing the ball. We have worked on it every practice, and I’ve got some really good servers that are very aggressive. Then, I’ve got some servers that can put the ball where I want them to put it, and we’re very successful at that. Our defense backs it up if it comes on our side.”
McAuley takes a 13-8-2 overall record into the Patriot Challenge this weekend hosted by Providence Academy in Rogers, Ark.
The Warriors then have Ozark 7 Conference matches on the road on Tuesday against Wheaton and on Thursday against Verona.
McAuley returns home on Tuesday, Oct. 4, against conference foe Golden City.
