Louisburg gets three wins in a pair of triangulars

Louisburg sophomore Emma Prettyman goes up for a kill during a match earlier this season. The Lady Cats won three of four matches this past week, including a pair of wins Tuesday at Santa Fe Trail.

CARBONDALE – It was a successful week for the Louisburg volleyball team after a pair of road outings that ended with three victories.

On Tuesday, the Lady Cats ventured to Santa Fe Trail High School for a triangular with Burlington and they left with a pair of easy wins.

Even without starting setter Davis Guetterman, who is currently out with an injury, the Lady Cats rallied together and finished the night in convincing fashion. Louisburg opened with a 25-12 and 25-8 win over Burlington and then downed Santa Fe Trail 25-18 and 25-10.

In its first time away from home, Louisburg traveled to De Soto last Thursday for a triangular with Notre Dame de Sion and nearly came away with the sweep.

The Lady Cats opened with a 25-17 and 28-26 victory over Notre Dame de Sion and got off to a good start in its next match against Class 5A De Soto. Louisburg took the first set 25-19, but lost a crucial second set, 29-27, and eventually fell in the third, 25-20.

Although the Lady Cats (4-1) suffered the first loss of the season, they were able to come away with several positives.

Against De Soto, senior Carleigh Pritchard had a big night at the net with a team-high 14 kills to go along with four blocks. Junior setter Rinny McMullen also finished with seven kills, while senior outside hitter Alyse Moore had five kills and two blocks.

McMullen also played well from her setter spot with 19 assists and fellow setter, Davis Guetterman, had 11 assists.

Junior libero Chase Kallevig was everywhere in the back row for Louisburg as she racked up a team-high 21 digs, while Moore and Guetterman added 13 and 12, respectively.

The strong defense was also evident in Louisburg’s first match against de Sion. Kallevig had a team-high 11 digs and senior Madi Quinn had eight before finishing with nine against De Soto.

“We were a little sluggish against Sion and didn’t play at our level,” Louisburg coach Jessica Compliment said. “We did bounce back and played really well against De Soto. Our back row defense made some huge plays. Chase and Madi both had a great night defensively. Everyone on our offense stepped up and helped contribute as well.”

McMullen finished with a team-best eight kills, while Pritchard had five kills and three blocks from her middle spot. Guetterman and Moore had four kills each and Guetterman had three blocks.

Louisburg, the No. 4 ranked team in Class 4A, will have a difficult assignment tonight as it hosts Bonner Springs at 6:30 p.m. The Braves are currently ranked No. 8 in Class 5A.