St. Croix Central volleyball team gives top seed a test

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The St. Croix Central volleyball team has built a reputation for playing to the level of its opponents this season.

So when the Panthers drew the eighth seed in their first year competing in Division 2 in the WIAA playoffs they knew they were in for a steep challenge. The Panthers’ opening opponent was Altoona, the top seed in the regional bracket.

The Panthers put up a worthy battle against Altoona, losing 25-11, 25-17 and 25-16 in the three games. Altoona went on to win its next two matches, qualifying for this week’s sectional tournament.

Altoona used a number of quick sets to roll up points in the opening game. By the second game Central middle hitters Alyssa Melby and Madison Malecek began to time those plays and were getting blocks on many of Altoona’s hits. That helped the Panthers build a six-point lead early in the second game.

Central coach Kerrie Been recently moved freshman Bailey Booth to the varsity and had her playing as a defensive specialist in the second and third games. Been said that Booth showed in those two games that she should be ready to handle the speed of the varsity game next season.

Been said she was pleased with how the team handled the move up to playing in the Division 2 tournaments.

“For an eight seed, I thought we played them pretty well,” Been said.

Tags: sports, panthers, volleyball, prep