Wilkinson's expanded duties carries Southwest past North Star - Lincoln Journal Star

Marysa Wilkinson isn’t real sure what her position is on the Lincoln Southwest volleyball team, but the all-stater certainly knows her role.

The 6-foot senior Creighton recruit terminated from every spot on the net and the back row as well on her way to a match-high 18 kills Thursday night, leading the Class A No. 3 Silver Hawks to a 25-19, 25-23, 25-19 season-opening home victory over No. 7 Lincoln North Star.

Wilkinson, who started at outside hitter, headed straight to the training room afterward for treatment on her right shoulder following the barrage that included quick attacks in the middle from setter Madison Egger (35 assists) as well as some right-side swings.

“Yes, it’s a little sore,” she admitted. “That’s a lot of swinging in one night.”

Wilkinson, however, is enjoying being the go-to person, no matter where she is.

“It’s a lot of pressure, but I’m up to the challenge,” said Wilkinson, who also had an ace block, two service aces and 13 digs.

Senior Jill Bax, a three-year starter at libero, paced the Southwest defense with 19 digs.

Southwest coach Mary Schropfer was pleased with how Wilkinson handled her expanded responsibilities after being strictly a middle blocker her first three years of high school. Outside of serving, this was the first time she’s played back row defense.

“Maybe I finally got smart. I probably should’ve done this with her a long time ago,” Schropfer said. “She’s going to have a good year. And I think she showed tonight she can help us in the back row.”

Wilkinson wasn’t the only experienced Silver Hawk hitter producing, however. Allie Davis, a sophomore outside hitter who started as a freshman, ripped 12 kills. She scored five straight points for Southwest late in the hard-fought second set to keep the Silver Hawks within striking distance.

With the score tied at 23, Southwest moved to set point on a right-side kill from Alyssa Meyer. Davis then finished it with a left-side tip that the Navigators couldn’t come up with.

Senior outside hitter Aspen Green led the Gator attack with eight kills, while standout sophomore middle blocker Sarah Allick and sophomore right side/middle Courtney Faller added five kills each. Kailee Brown had 15 assists and Justine Griess had nine in North Star’s 6-2 offense.

“I’m excited about this team, but there’s some things we definitely need to work on,” North Star coach Kristi Nelson-Hitz said. “Our passes were so high, they were bringing down rain. You can’t run a quick offense with high balls like that. And with the size we have at the net, we should be blocking better than we did tonight.”

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