By Milla Butler
Starting off their season with a bang, the Silver Lake Mustang volleyball team defeated the McCool Junction Mustangs in three sets. Set one ended with a score of 27-25, set two with 25-21, and the Mustangs strongly overcame their opponents in set three with a score of 25-16. Leading the team in defense were junior Emma Schmidt and sophomore MaKenna Karr with 14 and 13 digs, respectively. Senior captain Sydney Bartels contributed 6 blocks. Offensive leaders for the team included Bartels and juniors Katy Soucek and Emma Schmidt, with 8 kills, 7 kills, and 29 assists, respectively. Emma Schmidt also majorly contributed in serving aces. She acquired 5, earning the most on the team. After a successful first game of the season, Bartels comments, “After getting all our nerves out in the first set, our communication drastically improved. Even while we were continuously getting blocked, we stayed aggressive and kept swinging hard. We did a good job at staying positive and keeping our composure even when we were down. I’m looking forward to seeing how much this team grows and improves in all aspects of the game.” Come support the Mustangs on Tuesday, August 29 at Harvard as they compete in a triangular against the Harvard Cardinals and the Heartland Lutheran Red Hornets.