Linn bounced back from two losses the previous week with a commanding straight-set win over New Haven on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 25-9, 25-15, 25-11.

“We had a tremendous improvement over last week,” said Linn coach Megan Russell. “We worked hard after our two losses and put in the work during practice to get back on track.”

That work showed at the service line, where Linn posted 96% accuracy with just three errors and 12 aces. Ali Russell led the Lady Wildcats with six aces, while Nicole Grellner and Jorja Kempker added two apiece.

Linn also controlled play defensively. Nevaeh Ames recorded four blocks, Carley Brandt had two, and Grellner added one.

The Lady Wildcats finished with 46 digs without committing a dig error. Russell and Kempker led the way with nine digs apiece, Kylie Goans and Grellner each had eight, and Kendra Robinson added seven.

“We didn’t let anything drop defensively, which is something we have been working hard on — having that dig-or-die mentality,” Russell said.

Offensively, Linn spread the attack around while finishing with 29 kills. Goans led the team with 11, Grellner and Kempker had five apiece, and Brandt added four. Grellner also recorded 18 assists, while Lexy Strong had six.

“It was nice to get back to our game and control the pace how we wanted,” Russell said. “We changed up some rotations and are working out different options, but the girls really stepped up as a team and got us back on track with where our goals for the season are.”

Linn’s junior varsity also swept New Haven, rallying in the opening set before winning 25-21, 25-6.

The JV Lady Wildcats committed only three service errors while recording 12 aces. Anna Brandt led with seven aces, while Kendra Brandt and Josslyn Branstetter had two each.

Linn also limited its serve-receive and digging mistakes to two total errors. Kendall Niederhelm and A. Brandt each had three kills, while Allie Steinbeck and Jordyn Bish recorded two apiece.

The C team fell in two sets, 25-22, 25-19, but Russell said adjustments made following the previous week allowed the group to compete better than it had earlier in the season.

Linn’s JV returned to action Saturday, Sept. 19, when the Lady Wildcats hosted their annual six-team tournament and finished third.

Linn went 3-1 in pool-play sets to win its pool. The Lady Wildcats swept Fulton 25-12, 25-11, then split with Versailles C, falling 25-23 before winning 26-24.

Linn faced Versailles JV in the semifinals and won the opening set 25-12 before dropping the next two 25-13, 15-13.

The Lady Wildcats then met Versailles C again in the third-place match and earned a 25-15, 25-11 sweep.

“Overall, it was a good day,” Russell said. “We had one game where we lost energy and just didn’t play to our potential, but we were able to recover after and secure the third-place finish.”