Bonduel High School senior hitter Jen Dowden was dominant in the middle, sophomores Danee Collier and Kailee Pedersen provided a spark serving, and the Bears got a key 3-0 sweep Tuesday against Central Wisconsin Conference-8 foe Shiocton in Bonduel.
Heading into the game, Bonduel (4-2 CWC-8) was knotted in a four-way tie with Wittenberg-Birnamwood, Iola-Scandinavia and Stevens Point Pacelli for second place in the CWC-8 behind Weyauwega-Fremont.
Getting the sweep helped Bonduel’s win percentage, which could be a key tie-breaker come tournament time and could get the Bears another shot at Weyauwega-Fremont.
After taking the first two games Tuesday (25-19, 25-15), Bonduel fell behind 7-1 to open the third set.
In the past, the Bears often did not stay aggressive when trailing.
“I feel like we’ve been driving it into them for two years,” Bonduel coach Kim Bodoh said.
This year, though, the Bears have kept attacking.
“Lots of big comebacks from them,” Bodoh said. “Now I would like them to get ahead at the beginning. … I would say we’ve had four or five where we’ve come back from being down by at least 10 points and come back to win.”
Tuesday’s match was another example.
Dowden, who had Shiocton guessing all night in the middle, stayed on the attack after the Bears fell behind 19-9.
“On nights when Jenny is hitting the ball hard and hitting the ball well, she kind of takes the other team’s defense out of their game,” Bodoh said. “She’s probably one of the hardest hitters in our conference. They don’t get to see that every day.”
With Collier serving, the Bears cut the deficit to 19-15.
After giving back a point, Bonduel continued the rally with Pedersen serving. Bonduel eventually tied Shiocton (0-5) at 20-20 and went on to win, 25-22. Pedersen would finish with seven service points in the game.
Dowden finished the night with 18 kills, four blocks and 10 digs. Collier had 10 digs and two aces. Miranda Schmidt had 12 assists. Taylor Weier’s 10 points helped win the second game.
Bodoh said Dowden and fellow senior Lexi Reinke are playing well.
“I think my seniors realize that their time is dwindling down,” Bodoh said. “They’re only going to get to play in front of this home crowd one more conference game, and then maybe a tournament game here or there. I think that is starting to hit home for them.”
Bonduel hosts Amherst on Tuesday before the CWC-8 tournament begins Oct. 11.
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