Sports

Aufforth, Ladyjacks hope to learn from loss

By Tyler Ohmann

09/18/2012

The Dakota College at Bottineau Ladyjacks jumped out to quick 1-0 lead with a 25-20 first set victory against a big, hard-hitting Williston State team last Tuesday evening in Bottineau.

However, it was the Tetons that would control the rest of the match winning 25-12, 25-20 and 25-10 to hand the Ladyjacks their fourth loss of the season.

Head coach Corey Fehringer was pleased with the first set, and is optimistic for the team, despite a losing result.

“Very similar to our match against Rocky Mountain we were able to take the first set by outsmarting and outhustling the opponent,” Fehringer stated. “We have not identified any areas which should be considered major issues, but rather continuing the ability to make better decisions down the stretch.”

“I think that we talked about things that we can improve on, and I know we can after that first set,” said DCB freshman setter Ashleigh Aufforth. “As the game went on, we didn’t improve on some things that we should have, so we’ll work on that and hopefully get better.”

Aufforth said the Ladyjacks’ ability to hang with the Tetons throughout most of the match came from the teams they faced in Dawson week.

“It’s huge to play those good teams from over in Montana, because it forced us to dig hard hits and to but those back up and be scrappy,” Aufforth said. “Hit them back over the net, and play them.”
“We just need to get out blockers there and in the back row, we just need to get low and be ready to pass everything up,” Aufforth added.

Fehringer was pleased with the effort and the match in general.

“All in all I am pleased with the effort our Ladyjacks have provided day in and day out,” Ferhringer stated. “Williston was another difficult match because of their size and athleticism.”

However he did point a few areas where the Ladyjacks need some improvement.

“The most important aspect of our team is the strength of the defense,” Fehringer stated. “Offensively we are learning to place the ball in a weak area for the opposing team while combating effective blocking schemes at the net.”

Fehringer also stated that the goal for the Ladyjacks is clear, and they will have to continue to work at it week in and week out.

“Leaving the locker room we made it very obvious we understand the task at hand. Junior College is an exciting season because the best teams do not certainly have the best record, but are playing their best volleyball come the Region XIII tournament,” Fehringer stated. “I believe we are a resilient team with a sophomore oriented group of ladies who are willing to come back on Thursday ready to work.”

Aufforth, who is a Bottineau native and set the single season assist record for Bottineau High School as a senior in 2011, is happy to be at DCB.

“It’s awesome,” Aufforth said. “I love all of my teammates. We have a good coach, and I just like being at DCB because I know everyone, and everyone is here cheering us on.”

The 3-4 Ladyjacks played last night at Lake Region State. Scores and stats were unavailable by press time. Next up for the Ladyjacks are road matches at North Dakota State College of Science at 7 p.m. tonight and Trinity Bible at 6 p.m. on Wednesday.

The next home match for DCB will be at 7 p.m. on Sept. 26 against rival Bismarck State College.