There was very little rust for the Athenian volleyball team as they opened up the 2020 season on Monday night against Sheridan.
Crawfordsville swept the Blackhawks (25-11, 25-7, 25-11).
Clinging to a 12-11 lead in the first game, the Athenians (1-0) rattled off 13 straight points to take the game and a 1-0 lead.
Just like in the 2019 campaign, serving continued to be Crawfordsville’s strength against Sheridan.
“They were spot on tonight,” longtime coach Kelly Johnson said. “We only missed three serves in the match. We knew we had talent coming back. And we knew we had to start things more game like practice wise. It was just a totally different look in practice when we started in July. And the girls have just really worked hard.”
Laine Schlicher served for each of those 13 points to end the first game, and rattled off six more to start the third and decisive game.
The junior had 14 assists, four aces, and two kills in the win, while sophomore Macy Bruton led the Athenians with 22 kills and two aces.
The duos’ confidence has already helped the rest of the Athenian team elevate their game just in the last six weeks.
“Laine was just awesome serving for us last year, and she just improved in confidence,” Johnson said. “The big thing with this team is confidence. They’ve gained a ton of it, and Macy, everything she does is just natural. And I just feel like the time we spent in the gym, I’ve pushed them pretty hard and they’ve had a lot of fun and everybody is just ready to get this thing rolling.”
Just the same as other athletic teams around the state, the Athenians were unable to start summer workouts until July 6 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Johnson says one of the few weaknesses the Athenians have in the early going is a lack of communication, but she believes wearing a mask during practice plays a factor.
“The only thing we have to work on is communication,” she said. “And we are still a little bit quiet, but I think that will come. It’s weird being in a mask at practice and that’s kind of a pain. I know they were tickled to death to get on the court and not have a mask on for a change. None of us are crazy about that right now, but it’s just a way of life right now.”
Crawfordsville is also waiting on the return of two varsity players who still need to get enough practices in to become eligible. Chalk up another point for the virus.
Libero Olivia Reed added six digs and four aces in the win, while Alyx Bannon had five kills and a solo block. Jessica Tribble had 12 assists, Hallie Gayler four kills, and Allyson Barton three digs and a pair of aces.
Crawfordsville returns to the court on Thursday at Greencastle.
