Spikers lose to Cougars, Sabers

The New Prague Trojan volleyball team lost two matches last week, falling to Mankato East and defending state champion Shakopee at home. New Prague was scheduled to face Belle Plaine, ranked No. 5 in Class AA, on Tuesday, Oct. 5. They will host Red Wing Thursday, Oct. 7, then play in the 16-team Lakeville North Tournament Friday and Saturday, Oct. 8 and 9. New Prague travels to Hopkins Tuesday, Oct. 12, and Chanhassen Thursday, Oct. 14.



Cougars 3, Trojans 1

Things started out well for New Prague, as they won the first game 25-23. The lead changed six times during the game, with Mankato East appearing on the verge of winning at 23-19, but the Trojans served out the final six points to take the win.

East pulled away from the Trojans to win game 2, 25-16. New Prague jumped to a 15-7 lead in the third game, but the Cougars came back to win it 25-22, then handled the Trojans easily in game 4, winning 25-13.

Sara Rookaird was the Trojans' top sever, hitting 17 of 19 with five aces. Rookaird also had 26 assists, with Sydney Foss collecting 17 kills. Hailey Dolezal had five digs and Foss and Rookaird had four each. Lexi Ruehling led the team with three blocks, with Elly Reinke getting two.

Sabers 3, Trojans 0

Shakopee, ranked No. 10 in Class AAA, swept the Trojans in three games Thursday. The first game was close, with the teams within a few points of each other at 13-11, when the Sabers went on a run to pull away 25-16. The Sabers took the final two games 25-8, 25-15.

Rookaird was 12-of-12 serving with three aces, while amber Hoffman was 11-of-12 with an ace. Rookaird had 14 assists, with Foss and Rochelle Koehnen each getting six kills. Foss had 10 digs, while Dolezal had six, and Ruehling had five blocks, Foss three and Rookaird two.