BY FRED KRONER
fred@mahometnews.com
Sometimes, coaches make changes and have to wait for results to happen.
Other times, changes are almost instantaneous.
M-S volleyball coach Stan Bergman saw quick results with a move he made prior to Saturday’s Bulldog Invitational.
On the heels of a Thursday night Apollo Conference loss to Mount Zion, Bergman returned Josie Hess to the libero position she filled last season and moved the early-season libero, Ellie Beach, to the right back defensive specialist spot.
“It boiled down to that we needed to make a change,” Bergman said.
Five matches later, the results were clear.
M-S went 5-0 to capture team honors in its own 16-team invitational, including a two-set championship-match sweep over a St. Joseph-Ogden team that owned a 2-0 victory over the Bulldogs.
The capper: Hess was one of two Bulldogs chosen to the 12-person all-tournament team.
“That probably shows it was a good move on our part,” Bergman said. “Apparently, other coaches noticed (Hess).”
Hess had 62 digs and three service aces for Saturday’s five matches. She was joined on the all-tournament team by another M-S junior, Ainsley Ranstead, who pounded 54 kills and delivered 34 digs and eight aces for the day-long event.
In pool play, the Bulldogs topped Oakwood 25-10, 25-12, the Pleasant Plains JV team 25-7, 25-11 and Williamsville 21-5, 25-15, 15-9.
In the semifinals, M-S topped the 2018 state champions, Pleasant Plains 26-28, 30-28 15-9 before avenging the early-season loss to St. Joseph-Ogden with a two-set sweep, 25-9, 25-22.
For the day, the Bulldogs’ wins included ones over opponents that placed second, third and sixth in the 16-school field.
Bergman said shifting Hess’ position in some ways is a trade-off.
Previously, he said, her role “allowed another eligible hitter because she hit fairly well out of the back.”
Now, it helps solidify the back row. “Josie is a better passer,” Bergman said.
Setter Kayin Garner took advantage and delivered 131 assists for the five matches.
“She was the rock and showed a lot of determination,” Bergman said. “She kept plugging away.”
Lauren Minick and Ranstead were the offensive catalysts in the championship match.
Minick landed 15 kills and Ranstead had 13 kills in the finals.
“Ainsley was solid all weekend and I was pleased how Lauren played in the last match,” Bergman said.
On the day, Minick registered 38 kills, 32 digs and four aces.
M-S has put together championship efforts at major invitationals two weekends in a row. A week ago, it won the title at Centennial High School.
In order to complete its own tourney bracket, the M-S junior varsity also participated and placed 15th, going 1-4 for the day. The victory came over the Decatur St. Teresa JV team 25-22, 25-20 in the final match.
Against Mount Zion on Thursday, Makayla Rosenbery had four kills in a narrow 26-24, 25-23 loss to the visiting Braves.
M-S, which has won nine of its last 10 matches, returns to action on Tuesday at Taylorville.
The M-S junior varsity also lost to Mount Zion, 25-15, 28-30, 15-9.
For the Bulldogs, the upcoming schedule is not quite as daunting as in recent weeks.
“We’ve had 14 matches the last two weeks and four matches the next two,” Bergman said. “It will give us a chance to push ourselves a little harder in practice.”
