Wright City senior setter Josephine Grueneberg didn’t have a problem settling into her role Monday. Playing as the only setter in the team’s 5-1 set, Grueneberg – like the Wildcats as a whole – showed flashes of brilliance despite coming out on the short end of the score.
This item is available in full to subscribers.
We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you are a digital subscriber with an active subscription, or you are a print subscriber who had access to our previous wesbite, then you already have an account here. Just reset your password if you have not yet logged in to your account on this new site.
If you are a current print subscriber and did not have a user account on our previous website, you can set up a free website account by clicking here.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
Please log in to continue |
Wright City senior setter Josephine Grueneberg didn’t have a problem settling into her role Monday.
Playing as the only setter in the team’s 5-1 set, Grueneberg – like the Wildcats as a whole – showed flashes of brilliance despite coming out on the short end of the score.
Wright City improved each game but ultimately fell to host Winfield 25-19, 25-20, 25-22.
“I’d run this in club, and it could be a lot of pressure,” Grueneberg said. “I don’t see it that way, though, because I have my teammates out there with me. They do a great job relieving that pressure on me.”
Wright City Coach Gabby Vogt credited Grueneberg for her play.
“Jo did a great job stepping up tonight as we ran a 5-1,” Vogt said. “She did a great job of switching up our offense while also making herself an offensive threat. Her ability to make smart decisions and contribute offensively was a big part of our ability to find different ways to score.”
Wright City never led in the opening game, managing to tie the score at seven and then again at 11 before Winfield (2-0) pulled away.
Games two and three began more to Vogt’s liking.
In game two, the Wildcats led 14-8 before falling, and after a service ace by senior Marli Burkhardt, the team led 14-5 in the third.
But the team couldn’t find its finish either time.
“There are a lot of fixable things,” Vogt said. “Compared to where we started at in our scrimmage last week, we’ve already grown tremendously. The mental errors that we had here were the difference in the game.”
The coach added that simply having more on-court time as a team will also benefit the Wildcats.
“Just knowing their roles on the court will be,” said Vogt of the key to the team’s future success. “They are all very aggressive and they all want to win, but I felt like there were times when they were overstepping a little bit, rather than focusing on their roles on the court. It’s still very early in the season and there will be lots of learning moments. (Knowing those moments will come) is really awesome. We have yet to realize our potential. We’ll get there.
“The girls are incredibly competitive and are always looking for ways to improve,” Vogt added. “I am confident that, as we keep working together and tighten up our game, we'll keep growing and see positive results.”
Zoey Jones agreed with her coach.
“You’ve just got to go out there, do your thing and play your position right,” Jones said. “First game jitters can be real but you’ve got to have trust in your team. We have trust in each other and we know that we will (continue to improve).”
Statistically, Jaiden Walch led Wright City with nine kills. Burkhardt led the team with 30 digs. Grueneberg led the team with 17 assists.
After playing at Chamois on Tuesday, Wright City will return home to host Bowling Green at 6 p.m. on Thursday.
