The Waseca Bluejays volleyball team ran into a tough Saint James Area squad on Monday night, dropping the match in straight sets, 25-13, 25-16, 25-7.
The Saints controlled the tempo from the start, using a balanced attack and steady defense to keep the Bluejays from finding a rhythm. Waseca showed stretches of strong play, particularly in the second set, but Saint James was able to pull away late in each frame to secure the sweep.
Defensively, the Bluejays worked hard in the back row, finishing with 69 digs on the night. Junior libero Alyssa Kilmer led the way with 17 digs, while Tajha Nelson added a team-high 2.14 serve receive rating. At the net, Ashley Fliflet and Avery Barto provided sparks offensively, with Fliflet tallying 3 kills and Barto posting a .333 hitting percentage. Remy Murphy kept Waseca in the fight at the service line, delivering 3 aces.
Waseca finished the match with 11 assists, 8 aces, and 3 total blocks, showing flashes of the balance the team is striving for.
The Bluejays will look to regroup tonight as they return home to face the Belle Plaine Tigers. C-squad will play at 6:00 p.m. at Waseca Intermediate School, while the B-squad and Varsity will compete at Waseca Junior-Senior High School, with matches at 6:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., respectively.