By RYAN WALKER
Norwell kept its hot streak rolling in a 3-0, no sweat, sweep over Wayne Wednesday night at The Castle.
The Knights (7-4) eased through the Generals (1-7) with scores of 25-11, 25-8 and 25-16. It was a total team effort, as most of the starters and the bench were unloaded and made their mark one way or another. For a team that has a strong junior class (11 out of the 15 varsity members are juniors), the development of the team is pleasant for head coach Kayla Hunter.
“I think it feels good to them,” Hunter said. “Everybody got to contribute. They just seemed really relaxed and having fun.”
Vanessa Rosswurm led the team with seven kills, while Jaycie Grzych and Hope Mitchell added six each. Autumn Lee and Emma Vachon had three aces, Rebecca Settle 11 digs, Vachon 23 assists and both Mitchell and Rosswurm with one block.
The hot streak has been refreshing, but it hasn’t been as smooth sailing as it was Wednesday night.
Norwell swept both its season-opening games but hit a wall in three straight losses to Heritage, Blackhawk Christian and Woodlan.
Since then, the Knights have added to the win column in five of their last six. At the Prairie Heights Invitational over the weekend, they went 3-1 and defeated a 7-2 Manchester team. On Tuesday, they beat Southern Wells 3-0.
Perhaps they’re starting to find their stride just 11 games into the season. That’s the goal for the team, to find the high point of their own potential and stick there. Hunter and the coaching staff are seeking the team to dial it up a notch.
“We talk a lot about finishing and playing consistently,” Hunter said. “It’s kind of been the theme of the year so far — just trying to play consistent. I think they learned in the losses that they didn’t do that, and so they’ve been really focusing on that.”
The Knights have plenty of time to get there. Their first Northeast 8 Conference matchup won’t happen until Sept. 19 at Leo six games from now.
Last year, the Knights’ 3-4 conference record was the only blemish to an impressive 21-13 record. The team will look to change that this season and hopes to have figured out the right recipe for a challenging NE8.
“Getting to the point to where we are able to execute and be the aggressors and not just wait for the other team to make the plays and react, but we’re the ones creating our own energy and controlling our side,” Hunter said.
Norwell will be at South Adams at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5.
ryan@news-banner.com
