September 5, 2012

Spikers overpower Maroons, Cowboys

By Neal A. Shipman
Farmer Editor

The Watford City varsity girls volleyball team opened its 2011 campaign in a very strong fashion last week as the Wolves picked up wins over Divide County and Killdeer.
This week, the Wolves will travel to New Town on Thursday and then be hosting the Watford City Invitational Tournament on Saturday, Sept. 8. Watford City wraps up their upcoming action when the Wolves host New England on Tuesday, Sept. 11.
Watford City 3, Divide County 1
The Wolves came out aggressively  in their opening volleyball match of the season as Watford City posted a 3-1 win over the Divide County Maroons last Tuesday.
The Wolves took the first two games by scores of 25-17 and 25-16 before the Maroons forced the match into four games as Divide County took the third game, 25-19. But the Wolves were not deterred by the minor setback as they came back to take the fourth game, 25-18.
“We started out strong on serving and Divide County had a lot of trouble with our serves,” states Nancy Deutsch, Wolves’ head coach. “Plus they had trouble with our blocking and kills.”
Watford City had 25 service aces and 26 kills in the match with McKayla Haugeberg setting the tone for the Wolves’ offense with 10 service aces while also leading Watford City’s defensive effort with 15 digs.
Jessica Brown led the Wolves with seven kills and five blocks, while Tori Hopkins had 19 assists.
“We had some trouble with digs and serve receives and had some mistakes that need to be taken care of,” stated Deutsch. “But we hustled on every ball and out-played Divide County.”
Individual statistics for Watford City from the match were as follows:
Aces: McKayla Haugeberg, 10; Tori Hopkins, 6; Jessica Brown, 4; Taylor Dwyer, 3; Katie Mogen, 2.
Kills: Brown, 7; Amanda Mogen, 6; K. Mogen, 5; Dwyer, 4; Haugeberg, 3; Hopkins, 1.
Assists: Hopkins, 19; Brown, 2; Dwyer, 1; K. Mogen, 1.
Blocks: Brown, 5; K. Mogen, 2.
Digs: Haugeberg, 15; A. Mogen, 8; Taylor Dwyer, 4; Tessa Dwyer, 4; Brown, 3; Hopkins, 3; Kara Langerud, 3; K. Mogen, 2.
Watford City 3, Killdeer 0
Watford City made short work of Killdeer on Thursday night as the Wolves swept the Cowboys in three quick games by scores of 25-7, 25-16 and 25-9.
And Coach Deutsch is pleased to see how well the team is coming together.
“We’re playing better and working hard on our serve receive,” stated Deutsch.
Against Killdeer, Deutsch notes that after Killdeer was able to set up  several blocks, she was able to make some adjustments that kept the Cowboys guessing.
“Our serves were strong and Killdeer had a hard time receiving them,” stated Deutsch. “We are a scrappy team and the girls go all out to keep the ball from hitting the court.”
Tori Hopkins had a big night for the Wolves as she led the Watford City with 10 service aces and 10 assists.
For the second straight game of the season, Watford City attacked the net offensively recording 18 kills while serving 23 service aces.
McKayla Haugeberg led the Wolves offensively and defensively with seven kills and 11 digs.
Individual statistics for Watford City from the match were as follows:
Aces: Tori Hopkins, 10; Katie Mogen, 5; Taylor Dwyer, 3; Jessica Brown, 3; McKayla Haugeberg, 2.
Kills: Haugeberg, 7; Amanda Mogen, 6; K. Mogen, 2; Brown, 2; Taylor Dwyer, 1.
Assists: Hopkins, 10; K. Mogen, 2; Taylor Dwyer, 1; Haugeberg, 1; Tessa Dwyer, 1.
Blocks: K. Mogen, 1; Haugeberg, 1; Brown, 1.
Digs: Haugeberg, 11; A. Mogen, 7; Taylor Dwyer, 3; Hopkins, 3; Brown, 1; Tessa Dwyer, 1; Kara Langerud, 1.

WATFORD CITY WEATHER