RCTC Volleyball Weekend Recap: A Hard-Fought Battle and a Dominant Sweep
Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC) faced a rollercoaster of emotions over the weekend with two contrasting volleyball matches. On Friday night, the Yellowjackets went toe-to-toe with St. Cloud Technical & Community College in a thrilling five-set showdown, ultimately falling short 2-3. Less than 24 hours later, RCTC bounced back with a commanding 3-0 sweep over Anoka-Ramsey Community College, showcasing resilience and depth.
Friday Night Thriller vs. St. Cloud
In a match that stretched over two and a half hours, RCTC battled fiercely against St. Cloud, with set scores of 24-26, 25-16, 25-19, 19-25, and 12-15. The Yellowjackets showed flashes of dominance, especially in the second set where they hit an impressive .333. However, inconsistency plagued them in the third and fifth sets, where hitting percentages dipped to .042 and -.031 respectively.
Offensively, Lily Holtan led the charge with 24 kills and a .254 hitting percentage, contributing 30 points. Kylie Minnich and Natalie LaBonte added 13 and 12 kills respectively, while setter Carmen Nerison dished out 51 assists and chipped in 6 points. Defensively, libero Jayda Bednarek anchored the back row with 39 digs, and the team totaled 120 digs overall.
Despite the loss, RCTC showed grit and teamwork, pushing a strong St. Cloud squad to the brink. The match highlighted areas for improvement, particularly in closing out tight sets and maintaining offensive efficiency under pressure.
Saturday Sweep vs. Anoka-Ramsey
RCTC returned to the court Saturday afternoon with renewed focus and energy, dominating Anoka-Ramsey in straight sets: 25-13, 25-16, 25-22. The Yellowjackets controlled the tempo from the start, hitting a blistering .500 in the first set and finishing with a team hitting percentage of .325.
Natalie LaBonte was unstoppable at the net, recording 10 kills on 15 attempts with a .600 hitting percentage. Holtan added 7 kills, while Abby Evans contributed 5. Setter Carmen Nerison orchestrated the offense with 28 assists and added 3 service aces. The team served aggressively, tallying 16 aces and keeping Anoka-Ramsey on their heels throughout the match.
Defensively, RCTC was solid, with 38 digs and minimal errors. Jayda Bednarek continued her strong play with 12 digs, and Carly Matthees added 8. The team’s blocking presence was also felt, with 2 block assists and consistent net pressure.
Looking Ahead
The weekend showcased RCTC’s potential and resilience. While the loss to St. Cloud was a tough pill to swallow, the team’s ability to regroup and dominate Anoka-Ramsey speaks volumes about their character and coaching. With a current record of 20-8, the Yellowjackets are poised for a strong finish to the season. RCTC will next play in the Regiona Tournament hosted by Anoka-Ramsey.
