The Southeast Community College Lady Storm were ambushed by the Central Community College Lady Raiders 18-25, 12-25, 22-25, Wednesday, Sept. 4, at the Truman Center.
Southeast’s record falls to 6-3 on the season. Central, which placed 5th in the NJCAA national tournament last year, improves to 7-3.
“It’s Columbus; they’re tough,” Head Coach Carrie Puhalla said. “If we are not moving our feet, we have a tough time matching up with them.”
Puhalla said the Lady Storm struggled at times on defense.
“Serve receive is killing us, (and) we have to do a better job of blocking,” Puhalla stated.
The coach said the team is also battling injuries.
“Caitlin Wuebbles is playing left-handed right now, and that is hurting us,” Puhalla said. “Hannah Baumbsberger’s back is bothering her, (and) you could see it in her swing.”
Hannah Mitchell and Alison Triplette were bright spots for Southeast in the loss. Triplette led the team with nine points and seven kills. Mitchell had seven kills and eight points.
“I thought Hannah Mitchell did a really good job in the third set, “Puhalla explained. “She can go around (the defense) and over them…we just need her to be more aggressive.”
Southeast will compete in the Central Nebraska Invitational Friday and Saturdayt, Sept. 6 and 7, in Columbus.
SCC’s first opponent is Northeast Community College, which beat the Lady Storm 3-1, in the RKP Classic.
Puhalla said she didn’t think her team was ready to play Northeast the first time.
“Now, I think we are, “ Puhalla concluded.