Through Injuries, Makeshift Lineups, Lady Eagles Reel Off Wins

The 2020 season has been a trying one for Sullivan volleyball.

Coming off a four-year run that saw the program win three district titles and advance to the semifinals last season, Sullivan entered this fall with a youthful, inexperienced team that had a challenging schedule.

The losses piled up during the season’s first month, but after recording a pair of victories at the Rolla Tournament on Oct. 3, Sullivan returned to the floor Monday and Tuesday to sweep Herculaneum and Union.

The Lady Eagles are finally finding some success even though injuries have threatened to derail their progress.

Sophomore Emma Brune is the latest victim after head coach Sarah Rochleau said she injured her ankle during practice before the Rolla Tournament.

Brune was featured in Sullivan’s rotation last season and brought experience to the lineup as outside hitter.

She missed all of the Rolla Tournament, forcing Rochleau to import sophomore Erica Juergens to the lineup. 

Sullivan also went several games without sophomore Maci Nolie, who has been the team’s setter the last two seasons.

The makeshift lineups have forced other players to step up and Rochleau said they have helped secure the last two wins.

“Juniors Abby Wiegers and Cassidy Cunningham have been making their presence known at the net and sophomore Olivia Witt has developed into a solid 6 rotation player,” she said.

Rochleau said it’s taken a team effort and credited seniors Saige Carey and Parker Williamson for helping lead the charge.

“We’ve been proud of the resilience this team has shown,” she said.

Herculaneum

Sullivan dumped Herculaneum in two sets on Monday, 25-16, 25-13.

Wiegers and Witt each had six kills, while Cunningham and Juergens had two.

Witt also had nine points and three aces.

Carey finished with six points, one ace, one kill and three assists.

Morgan Clonts and Raegan Johnson had five points. Johnson also tallied an ace.

Nolie and Williamson each had two points. Nolie led the team with 13 assists.

Union

The Lady Eagles took down Union in straight sets on Tuesday, 25-16, 25-16, 25-21.

Witt and Wiegers led the way with 13 and 11 kills, respectively.

Cunningham had four. Carey and Juergens each had three. Nolie finished with two.

Witt also led with 11 points and two aces.

Carey had 10 points, three aces and three assists.

Johnson added seven points.

Clonts had six points.

Williamson had five points, two aces and nine digs.

Nolie recorded five points, two aces, two kills and a team-high 32 assists.