SUPERIOR, Wis. – The Yellowjacket volleyball team moved into Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) play this week, opening conference play with a quick sweep of Northland College. Friday, the Yellowjackets remained in conference play, hosting Crown College at Mertz Mortorelli Gym.
 
For the second time this week, the Yellowjackets made quick work of their opponent, rolling over the Polars in straight sets, 25-19, 25-16 and 25-11.
 
It was the second win in a row for the Yellowjackets, who improved to 12-5 overall and 2-0 in the UMAC.
 
The Yellowjackets employed a balanced attack Friday, led by freshman Makenna Hohbein (Holdingford, Minn./Holdingford) who had 15 digs. Ayla Oltmanns (Gilbert, Minn./Duluth East) was the only other Yellowjacket to hit double figures in digs, finishing with 13.
 
Match Notes

• The opening set was the closest of the night, with the teams trading points in the early going. The Yellowjackets weren't able to pull away until late. With the scored tied 14-14, Hohbein broke the tie with kills on three of the next four Yellowjacket points. The Yellowjackets rolled the rest of the way, finishing the set on a 11-5 run.
• It was tight at the start of the second set, but this time the Yellowjackets didn't give the Polars a chance to draw even. Leading by one, Addy Gangl (Nashwauk, Minn./Nashwauk-Keewatin) had back-to-back kills to give the 'Jackets an 8-5 lead. Midway through the set the teams exchanged three-point runs, but then the Yellowjackets rolled. Marena Saeger (Stillwater, Minn./Stillwater) and Gangl each had back-to-back kills as the 'Jackets took six points in a row on the way to a win in the second set.
• With things well at hand, the Yellowjackets went to work to close out the match. Trailing 8-7, the Yellowjackets went on a 6-0 run to pull ahead for good. Up three at 14-11, the Yellowjackets took the final 11 points to cruise to the victory.
• The Yellowjackets attacked at a .237 clip in the match.
• Colleen Claude (Centuria, Wis./Homeschool) had a team-high 19 assists and also led the team in digs with 20.
• Jenna Anderson (Bemidji, Minn./Bemidji) and Savanna Hering (Superior, Wis./Superior) each had 16 digs.
• Nine different Yellowjackets registered at least one kill in the match.
• Hohbein's 15 kills set a new career high. It's the eighth time this season Hohbeing registered double-digit kills.
• Gabi Schwirtz (Plato, Minn./Glencoe-Silver Lake) contributed 18 assists.

The Yellowjackets will be back home Saturday when they host Minnesota Morris in a pivotal UMAC match. The opening serve is set for 1 p.m. at Mertz Mortorelli Gym.
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