Howells-Dodge goes 2-1 at Clarkson/Leigh Invite; swept by Stanton

The Howells-Dodge Volleyball Team is 2-2 in their last four matches, going 2-1 at the Clarkson/Leigh Invite on Saturday, winning 2-1 over Cross County and Oakland-Craig, but losing 2-0 to David City Aquinas. The Jaguars lost 3-0 at home to Stanton Tuesday night.

Howells-Dodge lost 25-15 in set one and 25-19 in set two to the Monarchs.

Erin Prusa had 7 kills while Taya VanLengen totaled 12 digs. Alyssa Coufal notched 18 set assists.

The Knights took set one from the Jaguars 25-21 before Howells-Dodge won set two 25-22 and set three 25-16.

Prusa had 9 kills while Jessi Brester posted 9 kills and 11 digs. VanLengen registered 19 digs while Grace Kreikemeier recorded 11. Coufal dished out 23 set assists.

The Cougars won set one 25-15 while the Jaguars took set two 25-23 and set three 25-17.

Prusa posted 14 kills while Brester tallied 10. VanLengen contributed 19 digs while Kreikemeier compiled 11. Coufal added 32 set assists.

The Mustangs beat Howells-Dodge 25-11 in sets one and two, and 25-9 in set three.

I thought the Jaguars played well against the Knights and Cougars, but Aquinas and Stanton had their way with Howells-Dodge.

The Jaguars (13-6) take part in the Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family Round Robin on Saturday.

The host Bulldogs and Clarkson/Leigh are among the teams taking part in this tournament.

This tournament figures to be a challenge for Howells-Dodge, but I think the Jaguars are definitely capable of stepping up and competing against some top competition.

Prusa, VanLengen, Coufal, Brester, and Kreikemeier have to perform the way they did against Oakland-Craig and Cross County.

Howells-Dodge is at their best when multiple girls have good stats and are really involved in the match.

The Jaguars could use a second offensive source to compliment Prusa, and more girls could step up in digging the ball as well.

Howells-Dodge could benefit from getting more contributions across the board, but that takes time to develop and happen.

The Jaguars are solid with who they have, but at the same time it's time for Howells-Dodge to step up their game.

The Jaguars have to try and slow down Hannah Kasik and Ashlynn Novotny from Clarkson/Leigh and Taya Beller from Humphrey/Lindsay Holy Family.

Howells-Dodge has to be strong on defense and play well on offense as well.

The Jaguars have to raise their level of play and start beating some of these good and tough teams in this tournament.

This is about the time Howells-Dodge wants to peak and play their best Volleyball, and I truly believe that is ahead for the Jaguars.

This tournament and the East Husker Conference Tournament are very key and important for Howells-Dodge.

The Jaguars need to step up and turn in a good performance and play well.

I think it's imperative Howells-Dodge picks up at least a couple of wins in this tournament.

If the Jaguars want to make a real run at state they need to show they can hang with and beat some of the top teams.

I realize a lot of the teams Howells-Dodge has lost to are C-1 or C-2 teams, but at the end of the day Volleyball is Volleyball, and the Jaguars have lost to a few good D-1 teams too.