Knights Too Much For EPS
By Mike Drooger –
The Edgerton Flying Dutchmen volleyball team ventured north to Tyler to take on the Knights of Russell-Tyler-Ruthton on Tuesday night, August 30. RTR moved into a new school facility in Tyler last year that houses all students from the tri-town area rather than having buildings in three towns. The Knights won every match they played at home in the gymnasium’s inaugural season of 2021 going 8-0. They kept their home court streak alive with a quick 3-0 win over Edgerton on the 30th to move to 9-0 in their friendly confines. Game scores were 25-15, 25-12, and 25-11.
The Knights finished last season with a record of 20-11. They lost just one senior to graduation. They would have had two seniors but one missed the season due to injury. There are high expectations at RTR because of last season’s record and the returning players. If their match vs. the Dutchmen is any indication, reaching those expectations are very attainable.
They hit with power but they were also able on numerous occasions to find the opening in Edgerton’s defense thanks to great court vision. They took advantage of pushes or tips for points.
The Dutchmen were down quickly 0-3 to open game one before the Knights were called for a lift. Points two and three for EHS were two more RTR errors but then the kills began to mount for the home team, and Edgerton lost by ten. The Dutchmen did have a nice run late in the opening game. Trailing 11-20, Savannah Schultz got a tip kill then a swinging kill. With Mateya Gilbertson serving, the Knight sent a kill out of bounds and freshman Reese Vande Griend recorded a kill to pull the Dutchmen to within five at 15-20. Edgerton would not score again in the opening game.
