Volleyball team opens with 3-0 win

Two years ago, a boisterous New Ulm crowd aided the Eagles to nearly steal a match from Hutchinson in five games. Tuesday in the same gym, despite another loud student cheer section, it took only three games for the Tigers to take care of business.

Hutchinson won 25-14, 25-16 and 25-15 in the season opener for both teams.

With five new starters in the lineup for Hutchinson, the team still managed to control the match from start to finish.

In the first game, the Tigers led 5-0 on setter Gladys Bonnema's serve before a time out settled down the Eagles. Still leading 11-8, the return of sophomore Kayla Tronick sparked Hutchinson to a 10-5 run that pushed the lead to 21-13.

Tronick, a 6-2 middle hitter, had two kills and two ace blocks during the stretch. Megan Rohlik's kill sealed game one at 25-16.

In game two, Hutchinson trailed at 8-7 before senior co-captain Laura Carlson recorded a kill and then reeled off four straight serves for winning points. The mini run ended with a Bonnema pass to Tronick for the 15-11 lead.

The Tigers took over from there, winning 10 of the next 15 points for the 25-16 win. Mackenzie Piechowski spiked home the final point for the 2-0 lead.

In game three, Hutchinson got off to a sloppy start, but regrouped with senior transfer Mandy Polocco serving, taking a 13-6 lead on back-to-back aces. The Tigers had trailed 6-3 in the game.

The final point came on a hitting error from New Ulm.

Carlson led all hitters unofficially with 13 kills, while Carissa Hahn had eight kills and Tronick had six kills and four ace blocks. Polocco, who played with Buffalo Lake-Hector a season ago, led the team with four service aces.

Hutchinson hosts Annandale at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.