The ninth-ranked Homestead Highlanders took on number one seed, Germantown, on Monday, Sept. 22 in a North Shore Conference volleyball showdown. Germantown is Homestead’s toughest competition, which showed on the court last night. The final score was 3-0, favored to Germantown. “We had really high expectations for ourselves matched up against the number one team in the state. The loss was disappointing for me and the rest of the team; we missed our chance to prove ourselves as legitimate contenders, but now we know what we need to work on and we’ll get right back to work. It’s still early in the season; our goal of state is still very much in tact,” Evan Greuel, senior said.

The Highlanders we off to a rough start with Germantown dominating in the first game, ending the set with a score of 25-13.

As the pace started to pick up, the second set resulted better for Homestead, but not with a win. Germantown scored the first point, setting them to the advantage of serving firsthand. As the game continued, Greuel notched a kill, changing the momentum and putting the score to 14-10. Jacob Urban, senior, then smoothly aced his serve. “We struggled all night to find energy. They are a good team and played harder and smarter than us. This is just another opportunity to improve,” Urban said.

With Germantown 2-0, this third set was playing for the possible match. Germantown served the ball into the net, giving the first point to Homestead. After multiple rallies, Germantown spun the ball out of bounds after Stevie Bresser, sophomore, spiked it down, putting the score at 7-6, Germantown.

With a three-round kill streak, Greuel helped tie the game at 8-8. With great blocks by Jack Quinlevan, junior, and great spikes by Bresser, the score eventually was tied at 22-22. With the match point to be played, Germantown was in possession of the serve and scored two points against Homestead, giving them the win for the night. 

The stats of the night include Bresser with seven kills, Jared Kashou, senior, with an assist, Joe Clemens, senior, had eight digs and Urban with two blocks and one ace.

Gallery • 6 Photos

Cassie Shaurette

Stevie Bresser, sophomore, serves the ball over the net. Cedarburg received it, and was able to pass it back to Homestead. “I feel like we brought a lot of energy to the game that gave us the winning edge over Cedarburg,” Bresser said.