By MIKE KEMMETER
of The Gazette
The old reliables showed the new kids on the block a thing or two Tuesday night.
The three-time defending conference champions, the Amherst High School girls volleyball team, knocked the Central Wisconsin Conference newcomer, Pacelli, from the ranks of the undefeated in a three-game back-and forth match.
The Falcons, who improved to 4-2 in the conference, dropped the first game but came back to win the final two games.
"It was about gutting it out," Amherst coach Kelly Asp said. "This is a big win for us. Now we're right in the thick of the conference race."
The match's result was up in the air until late in the third game, when Amherst pulled away for a 15-10 win. The Falcons won the coin flip and took an early 5-0 lead. Pacelli crawled back and got within 6-5. Amherst responded and opened a 11-5 advantage before the Cardinals rallied to cut the lead to 12-10.
Following a series of sideouts on both sides, Ali Zajackowski served three straight points as the Falcons closed the match. Amherst senior Jenni Orsund had spike kills on the last two points, including a spike that hit the back line in-bounds to win the game and the match.
In the second game, the Falcons outscored the Cardinals 8-3 down the stretch to force a third game. Junior Molly Simpkins sparked Amherst with three straight spike kills as the Falcons broke a 7-7 tie. Simpkins' spike put Amherst ahead 14-10 and then on the final point, Pacelli's return went out of bounds.
The Cardinals took an early lead in the first game and then held on for a 15-13 victory. Pacelli raced to a 6-1 advantage but Amherst came back after calling a timeout. The Falcons crept within 6-5 and eventually tied the game at 13-13 before the Cardinals closed the game with two straight points.
It's taken some time for Amherst to adjust to Asp, the new coach, who took over for Gregg Jensen. The Cardinals beat the Falcons in an earlier meeting, in Amherst.
"I think the biggest problem was I was the new coach. I don't think they trusted me yet," Asp said. "It was just me getting to know the girls and the girls getting to know me."
Orsund and Simpkins led the Falcons with 13 kills. Jamie Krutza added five kills. Becca Konkol, the returning all-CWC setter, had 25 assists. "Becca Konkol is an amazing setter. She's the heart of the team," Asp said.
Toni Johnson paced Pacelli with 23 assists, five service aces and five kills. Kim Schulist had seven kills and Katie Tomsyck had five kills.
"We cannot expect to win games when we don't play at our potential," Pacelli coach Shelly Johnson said. "What frustrating about it is the team has a lot of talent. So when the talent doesn't play to this level, you shouldn't expect to win."