HTC starts SEISC on good note

DANVILLE – The Holy Trinity Crusaders opened SEI Superconference South play with a three-set sweep of Danville Tuesday night on the road.
The Class 1A No. 5 HTC squad had to go into extra play in the first set before getting the Bears 27-25 and then rolled to 25-12, 25-16 wins to seal the win.
The Crusaders have had a sparse schedule to start the year after sitting out this year’s Bondurant-Farrar Tournament, and always have a break during rodeo. Tuesday night’s matchup was just the second day of official play of the year for the Crusaders.
Aside from that dynamic, sophomore Adalyn Kruse continues to show a bright future for Freesmeier’s perennial powerhouse. Kruse was 30-35 attacking with 18 kills to lead the Lady Crusaders. Presley Myers had seven kills on 15-19 hitting. Senior Anna Bendlage was 29-32 attacking on her way to 10 kills.
Bendlage also led HTC with 14 assists. Sophomore Elizabeth Griffin had 13 assists.
Senior Teagan Snaadt and Bendlage combined to go 32-32 from the service line with four aces. The Crusader team missed just six serves all night.
Defensively, the Crusaders had four players with double digit digs led by Olivia Bendlage with 14. Kruse had 13 followed by Griffin with a dozen and Snaadt with 10.
HTC (2-2) hosts West Burlington Thursday night in an early season clash with the No. 9, Class 2A Lady Falcons (14-1).