Kennedy Horn
After falling in four sets at Seymour in Tuesday’s volleyball season opener, Columbus North went to work in practice on Wednesday to fine-tune some things.
The adjustments paid off for the Bull Dogs. They rolled to a 25-8, 25-8, 25-19 win against Shelbyville in Thursday’s home opener to notch their first win of the season.
“I’m really proud of us after a loss Tuesday night,” senior middle hitter Kennedy Horn said. “I’m proud of us for fighting back and playing to our level. I think we had first-game jitters a little bit (Tuesday) and were a little nervous, and we were on our home court (Thursday), so that really helped. We just got in the gym and worked on what we needed to work on (Wednesday) night.”
The Bull Dogs (1-1) never trailed in any of the three sets. They cruised in the first two before coach Jenna Ortega played her entire roster in the third set.
“I gave everybody an opportunity tonight, so that was nice,” Ortega said. “When we have games like this, we give others an opportunity that may not play that much.”
Holly Evans
In the third set, North led 5-3 before stretching the advantage to 10-3 with senior setter Holly Evans at the service line. The Golden Bears got back to within 21-19 before Evans served out the match.
“I think we let go in the third set a little bit in and got low energy, but we came back,” Evans said. “We were struggling there for a second, and then I came in and did my job and put the ball over the net.”
Morgan Osborn led the Bull Dogs with seven digs and five aces. Horn pounded 13 kills, Reese Edwards and Evans each recorded seven assists and Karen Dutro had four blocks.
Also for North, Dutro tallied 11 kills and five digs, and Horn added two blocks and four aces. Lexi Denny contributed six assists, and Addy Dean and Elaina Penrod each notched two blocks.
“We did really well Tuesday night,” Ortega added. “We just kind of didn’t connect with our setting and hitting, so we worked on that (Wednesday) in practice and got a lot more connection going and put it to use tonight. It was nice to see it all flow. It was the whole setting and hitting, and I think we were just getting into a groove.”
The Bull Dogs will play in the Franklin Central Invitational on Saturday.
“I’m really excited for this team,” Horn said. “We have a lot of talent.”
