Blockbusters: Improved play at net makes Raiders tougher defensively in sweep of Chargers

QUINCY — Ali Entrup’s reaction spoke volumes.

Her play at the net resonated even louder.

During a tug-o-war portion of the first set Thursday night against Illini West at The Pit, the Quincy Notre Dame volleyball team’s senior right side hitter stuffed a Chargers attack, giving the Raiders the point, the serve and the momentum.

“I had (QND coach Courtney Kvitle) pull me aside and she said to get some blocks tonight,” said Entrup, who emphatically celebrated the block with her teammates. “That was my goal.”

The defensive effort complemented an ace-filled service game as QND rolled to a 25-15, 25-18 victory. More importantly, the combination of blocks and better challenges above the net showed the Raiders are taking instruction, making adjustments and improving 20 matches into the season.

“We’ve worked on seams and closing the blocks so they can’t hit the ball through the seams,” QND senior defensive specialist Lilly Marth said after the Raiders improved to 19-1. “Our blockers are doing a really good job of that, and we’re going to work on that in practice tomorrow and we’ll watch film on it, too.

“Improving in that aspect and every aspect is going to help us against really good teams.”

That was stressed after the Lincoln Tournament.

The Raiders suffered their only loss of the season in the semifinals of the big-school event, falling in three sets to Class 4A O’Fallon. QND still went 4-1 on the weekend and took third place, but it revealed the need to be better defensively at the net.

“We got exposed in that area in that tournament,” Kvitle said. “If we make just a few better adjustments, maybe we come out with a win there. So, yes, we have been working on some blocking. I thought (Entrup) and Annie (Eaton) did pretty well on the right side tonight.

“Even if it’s not a block, at least it’s a touch just to slow down the momentum.”

That occurred multiple times.

“That was clear to us we needed to improve,” Entrup said. “We’ve been working on it, and it’s fun to see it pay off.”

It generated a spark. The Raiders led 15-14 in the first set before going on a 6-0 run during which Eaton served two aces and Entrup had a block with an emphatic reaction that seemed to energize the players, the bench and the crowd.

“It creates a lot of excitement, which helps us play better ourselves,” Marth said. “One really good play like that creates a lot of really good plays. It just makes us play better.”

The back row benefits from better play at the net as much as anyone.

“The defense reads around the block,” Kvitle said. “It’s kind of like a running back. They have to run through the holes. In volleyball, we have to close the hole so that player can’t hit through it. Then we have to read around it and play defense around it. If we can close the block and play defense around it, then we can dig the kill and turn it into offense.”

The offense continues to be dominant. Abbey Schreacke led QND with eight kills, Emma Hoing added seven and QND collected more than a dozen aces. Hoing had six herself, with Schreacke and Eaton each serving three. Eaton also had 20 assists.

“If our passes are good, then our sets are really good and then our hitters do really good,” Marth said. “It creates a lot of excitement for our team whenever we pass really well.”

Josie Bryan and Reagan Reed led the Chargers with six kills apiece, while Bryan had eight assists and Reed had five. Kaelyn Ferrill and Abi White had three digs apiece as Illini West fell to 10-5 after losing to its second straight high-level opponent.

Macomb, which is undefeated, beat Illini West in straight sets on Tuesday.

“We look forward to these matches, especially when we’re getting closer to the postseason,” Entrup said. “Playing a team like Illini West, especially with good outside hitters and a good overall team, is so good for us. We’re going to go watch film tomorrow and see how we can do better going up against a team like that next time.”