Cashton didn't allow a first-set letdown determine the fate of Tuesday's Scenic Bluffs Conference meeting with Necedah.
After taking a 25-16 loss to open at Necedah on Sept. 15, the visiting Eagles battled back to claim a 3-1 win - their first in conference play.
Both teams, however, entered the night looking for the first SBC victory of the season. Necedah had previously given New Lisbon its first league win of the year last Thursday in a 3-1 decision.
Following the first set, Cashton improved its defense, holding Necedah to point totals of 19, 11 and 23 to close out the match.
"It feels great to get our first conference win. I hope it helps improve our confidence and mental toughness," said first-year head coach Lauren Fanning.
Aubri Schaldach led the Eagles with 11 kills in the affair while Sophia LeJeune and Alex Kabat each tallied three. Dezzi Newton and Evelyn Weber had two apiece.
Schaldach also recorded 17 digs and a team-high six serving aces.
Kennedy Brown posted a team-high 21 digs.
HILLSBORO 3 CASHTON 0
BANGOR 3 CASHTON 2
Cashton's swing club couldn't produce enough offense to notch a victory in a Scenic Bluffs Conference twinbill on Thursday, Sept. 10.
The Eagles were swept by Hillsboro and were outlasted by Bangor in a five-set race.
"We’ve played some tough games, but losing our first three conference games and then dealing with injuries and illness in Sparta has been tough for the kids as far as mindset," said Fanning.
"Mental toughness is huge in volleyball, and a lot of high school kids struggle with that aspect of the game. I’m hopeful for a couple of wins in the next week or two to help improve morale."
Fanning said her team is continuing to grow into new roles and expects this year's group to find its place before year's end.
Acclimating a pair of new setters has been one significant area of transition for this year's group. Senior Sophie Lukaszewski and sophomore Finley Brown have been tasked with running the offense this fall.
"(They) have been performing well," said Fanning, "especially considering neither of them had much varsity experience prior to the season."
Against Hillsboro, Lukaszewski finished with seven assists while Brown had five.
Aubri Schaldach was the top recipient of the duo's work, leading CHS with five kills while Clara Brown had three.
No stats were made available from the Bangor match, but the pair combined for 10 assists in a 2-1 loss to Mauston at the Sparta invite and teamed up for a dozen more in a 2-1 loss to Arcadia to end the run at the tournament this past weekend.
SPARTA INVITE
Despite the accumulation of experience by the setting duo, Sparta finished last week on a seven match losing streak which included four-straight defeats at the Sparta invite.
Cashton opened with a 2-1 loss to Mauston, then proceeded to take 2-0 defeats from both Colby and Sparta before losing to Arcadia 2-1.
Evelyn Weber ended with a match-high six kills against Arcadia while Schaldach had five.
Kennedy Brown collected 16 digs against Arcadia.
UP NEXT
Cashton will attempt to move up in the Scenic Bluffs standings when it hosts New Lisbon on Thursday, Sept. 17. The two squads are tied at 1-3 in SBC play with the winner moving up to sixth place.
Next Tuesday, Cashton will entertain Bangor in a rematch from last week and will travel to Royall for a pivotal match on Thursday.
