In a closely watched neutral tournament match on Thursday, August 17, 2023, the Brazos Cougar volleyball team battled it out against the Weimar Wildcats. Despite their best efforts, the Cougars unfortunately fell short, losing to the Wildcats with a final score of 2-0.
Set 1 – Brazos 11, Weimar 25
The first set saw the Weimar Wildcats come out strong, dominating the Brazos Cougar team with a score of 25-11. The Cougars struggled to find their rhythm, facing tough resistance from the Wildcats’ impressive defense and aggressive offense. Brazos fought valiantly but was unable to overcome the Wildcats’ early lead, resulting in a challenging start to the match.
Set 2 – Brazos 18, Weimar 25
The second set continued in a similar fashion, with both teams showcasing their determination to secure a victory. However, the Weimar Wildcats maintained their momentum, preventing the Brazos Cougars from gaining a foothold. The set concluded with a score of 25-18 in favor of the Wildcats, solidifying their 2-0 win over the Cougars.
Despite the loss, the Brazos Cougar volleyball team displayed exceptional teamwork and sportsmanship throughout the match. Let’s take a closer look at the individual statistics from the match:
Attacking: The Cougars’ attacking efforts were led by Reagan Cullen (Sr) with an impressive 10 kills, contributing significantly to the team’s offense. Sophia Vykuklal (Jr) added 4 kills, while Camille Combie (Jr) and Mckenna Stroud (Fr) each chipped in with 1 kill. However, the team faced a challenging hit percentage of -0.016, indicating the Wildcats’ formidable defensive play.
Serving: Brazos displayed a strong serving game, with a total of 30 service aces. Mckenna Stroud (Fr) stood out with 7 aces, while Paige Demny (Sr) and Ava Aguilar (So) both contributed 6 aces each. The team’s serving efforts yielded a respectable 90.0% service rate.
Blocking: In terms of blocking, Camille Combie (Jr) was a standout player for the Cougars, securing 2 solo blocks and 2 block assists. Despite the team’s efforts, the Wildcats’ offense proved challenging to defend against.
Digging: Brazos demonstrated strong defensive skills, with a total of 28 digs during the match. Kelly Mcdaniel (Jr) led the team with 8 digs, followed by Reagan Cullen (Sr) with 6, and Paige Demny (Sr) with 5.
Ball Handling: Ava Aguilar (So) took charge of ball handling for the Cougars, delivering 10 assists, demonstrating her role as a key playmaker for the team.
Serve Receiving: Reagan Cullen (Sr) excelled in serve receiving, securing 24 receptions during the match. Kelly Mcdaniel (Jr) and Paige Demny (Sr) also played crucial roles, with 16 and 3 receptions, respectively.
While the Brazos Cougar volleyball team faced a tough loss against the Weimar Wildcats, they exhibited great determination and skill on the court. The team will undoubtedly use this match as a learning opportunity to fine-tune their strategies and improve their performance in future competitions. With their unwavering dedication and commitment, the Cougars are sure to bounce back and continue their journey to success in the volleyball season ahead.
