The Gillett Secondary and Bonduel High school volleyball teams dressed in pink Thursday for the third annual “Digging for a Cure” nonconference match in Gillett
After losing the first two games 25-20 and 25-16, the Tigers (0-2 Marinette and Oconto Conference) found themselves up 20-10 after a 15-5 run in the third game.
That lead didn’t last, as Bonduel went on an unlikely rally to win the game 27-25 for a 3-0 sweep.
“Our team has struggled with mental toughness some this season,” Gillett coach Dawn Nelson said. “Most of the time when we get beat, we beat ourselves. It’s not something the other team is doing to us.”
The Tigers got to game point at 24-16, but Bonduel broke Brianna Lemirande’s serve to get the ball back. Bonduel’s Deanna Zernicke then took the serve and the Bears put together an eight-point run to take a 25-24 lead.
A penalty tied the game 25-25. A big spike by Jenni Dowden gave the Bears a 26-25 lead and then a hit by freshman outside hitter Brittany Wudtke won the game and the match.
Lemirande finished with nine kills and five blocks to lead the Tigers. Jessica Anderson had 20 assists and two aces. Maya Breed had three aces.
In the first two games, the coach said her team struggled with serving.
“Serving has been an issue,” Nelson said.
Gillett trailed 13-8 in the first game, but rallied to 19-16 before Bonduel took control.
The Bears led 16-7 in the second game and won on a spike by Dowden, who finished with 14 kills and 18 digs to lead Bonduel. Courtney Schmidt finished with 10 assists.
The event served as a fundraiser for breast cancer research and included raffles, a duck toss and dash for cash. The dash for cash, which was won by the Bonduel girls, raised $377.65. The event raised $2,227.65.
“It’s just a great event and it’s great to see the support the communities have given to it,” Nelson said.
Nelson said the proximity of Bonduel to Gillett makes sense for an event like this because it brings together communities to support a good cause.
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