Huskies move on to semi-finals

HUSKY VOLLEYBALL: NASHUA-PLAINFIELD 3, CENTRAL SPRINGS 1 (25-16 16-25 25-14 25-18)

Huskies move on to semi-finals

Huskies eye state, focus on one game after the next

The Huskies know how to put on a show.

They did it again Tuesday night, with a fire and focus throughout a four-set match against Central Springs, in which they prevailed.

When the Huskies were on, they were on. Power hitters Briley Fisher and Dallas Weiss couldn’t miss. But when they were off, they were off.

The second set, a 25-16 loss, was a low part ot a rather high night. After a nearly twoweek break from action, head coach Jill Smith was pleased, for the most part, with how her team came out and played.

“We took some time outside of the gym to talk about some different things that were lacking, team wise,” Smith said. “And we had a lot of time in the gym. I was pleased we came out not quite as rusty as I thought maybe we would. From here, we’ve just got to get the W’s.”

The Huskies dominated the first set, 25-16, and looked to be poised to go three sets without any hiccups. But a slip in focused forced four sets. But minus that second set stumble, the Huskies were in the driver seat.

And they have been for most of the season. Barring one conference loss to Northwood-Kensett, in the third game of the season, the Huskies went on to win a share of the conference title. That was the main goal for the team this season.

But now that the accomplishment has passed, senior outside hitter Dallas Weiss said there’s even more on the line now.

“The postseason, of course, is state,” Weiss said. “But we’ve got to take it one point at a time. We’re going to practice hard, we’re going to get ready for Friday and we’re going to give it everything we’ve got. State is something we want, but we’ve got to look at this next game before state.”

That next game will be against Lake Mills on Friday in Manly. Nashua-Plainfield saw Lake Mills just a few weeks ago in a quad tournament, losing 2-0.

Although the sets were 2522, 25-22, Smith said there’s going to be two tough matches in the way of the Huskies’ accomplishing a bid at the state tournament in November.

“These girls have talked about making it to state for four years,” Smith said. “I know that’s something they want to do. They have to battle. This match is a good match to take into the rest of the week, talk about some things that we didn’t do well offensively that are going to be important on Friday.”

NASHUA-PLAINFIELD’S SEASON HIGHLIGHTS/ POSTSEASON SCHEDULE

Sept. 19-Oct. 10 – 11-match win streak (won 14 out of 15) Sept. 26 – Dunkerton Tournament Champions Oct. 13 – Clinched share of Top of iowa Conference title Oct. 20 – First round bye Oct. 27 – Win, vs. Central Springs, 25-16 16-25 25-14 25-18 Oct. 30 – vs. Lake Mills in Manly, 7 p.m. Nov. 4, vs. winner of Sumner Fredricksburg/South Winn at Charles City, 7 p.m.

By Stephen Koenigsfeld sports@charlescitypress.com