The Rockets were led by perfect serving from Ezrah Baker (18/18, 1 ace), Kallyn Grove (19/19, 5 aces), Katie Hess (13/13), Mily Albjerg (10/10, 1 ace), Liz Lukken (18/19, 1 ace) and Brooklyn Christianson (16/18).

Grove distributed 39 set assists and leading attackers were Albjerg (14 kills), Lukken (12 Kills) and Baker (10 kills).  Grove also delivered 7 kills and Christianson had 6.

Defensive leaders were Christianson (19 digs), Lukken (14 digs), Grove (13 digs), Albjerg (13 digs), Baker (7 digs) and Sia Olson (6 digs).

“The Rockets play very big up in the front row and are extremely scrappy on defense,” said Barnesville Head Coach Megan Askegaard.  “They picked up many balls that we thought were going to be down for a point tonight.  We struggled bringing the energy to the court and playing through our mistakes.  We need to move past our mistakes and move into the next play much quicker.  Our intensity out on the court tonight was not as high as it has been lately.  Celebrating points is huge in gaining momentum in this game.  The girls are playing hard for each point and at times we are making things too difficult. We need to utilize our teammates out on the court better to put ourselves into scoring positions.”

Leaders for Barnesville were Lexi Hoeft (12 kills, 10 digs, 2 solo blocks, 1 block assist, 7/9 serving), Amelia Newell (11 kills, 19 set assists, 15/15 serving, 1 ace, 5 digs, 2 block assists), Abby John (10 kills, 2 solo blocks, 1 block assist), Lydia Braton (4 kills, 12/14 serving, 3 aces, 1 solo block, 3 block assists), Macie Pauna (4 kills, 13/15 serving, 1 ace, 7 digs, 1 solo block, 1 block assist), Sophie Frederick (16 set assists, 9/11 serving, 1 ace) and Kenadee Gray (11/11 serving, 7 digs).

“We were able to find Abby more tonight in the front row, but we need to work a little harder when she is up in the front to keep her up there,” noted Coach Askegaard.  “She is really getting her timing down and scoring some big points for us.  Our setters moved the ball nicely to get everyone into the action and keep the Rockets defense on their toes.  Lexi had a strong night on the outside.  She really put the ball away when she was set up on the net.  Our block got some nice touches and slowed the ball down for us, we just need to react quicker and be in every play out on the court.  Our serving errors and lack of aggressiveness on defense really hurt us down the stretch tonight.  Underwood has a phenomenal setter who is also a big scoring threat when she is up in the front row.  They attacked us from all areas on the court and kept us on our toes.  They have a nice team that is very fundamentally sound.  They will go far in Section 6A this season.”

Barnesville will host DGF in another homecoming week match on Thursday night.