Blue Jays sail past St. Mary’s

Addie Eamon had another busy day on Thursday.

The Jamestown High School junior posted 12 kills as the Blue Jays breezed past Bismarck St. Mary’s 25-12, 25-13, 25-20 in West Region volleyball at the JHS gym.

Eamon credited the team’s passing ability for the win, which moved Jamestown’s record to 12-5 including a 5-2 mark in the region.

“In practice, we really focus on passing,” said Eamon, a 6-foot middle hitter. “Without good passing, we can’t get into our system. When the passing’s good, our chemistry is good.”

Jamestown coach Sara Hegerle said Eamon’s production is partly a product of the relationship between Eamon and Josie Hegerle.

“They work pretty well together,” Hegerle said. “You’re only as good as your setter.

“We passed well and we defended well. When we do that, we can run a lot of different options.”

Everything seemed to be in tune for the Blue Jays, who led 7-6 in game 1 until they embarked on a 14-3 run that sunk the Saints. The game was sparked by five kills from Eamon.

In game 2, it was more of the same. St. Mary’s got within two at 13-11 on a kill from Katelyn Schaffner, who led the Saints with five kills and 12 digs. But the Jays used a 10-0 run to finish St. Mary’s off, paced by a strong performance from Julina Niemeier. She served through the final 10 points and kept the Saints guessing with four aces. Niemeier totaled six in the match.

St. Mary’s closest game came in the third, as the Saints got within four at 23-19 on a block from Alex McIntee. However, Jamestown eventually closed the door with a hammering kill from Hannah Heilman.

Hegerle ended with 21 assists, four kills and three aces, while McKayla Orr had 17 digs.

After losing five-game matches to Bismarck Century and Dickinson, the Jays have responded with two straight wins. They swept conference power Bismarck High on the road on Tuesday night.

“Just relax and play like you do all summer,” Sara Hegerle said she told her team. “We had a great crowd. I didn’t know if we’d play well in front of a big crowd, but they did.”

The Blue Jays visit Williston today and host Mandan on Tuesday.

Jamestown 3, Bismarck St. Mary’s 0

St. Mary’s 12 13 20

Jamestown 25 25 25

StM — Kills, Katelyn Schaffner 5, Mary Roller 4, Meghan Huber 3. Assists, Allie Reisenauer 8, Kala Frank 6. Aces, Reisenauer 2. Blocks, Ashley Wanner 2, Alex McIntee 2. Digs, Kaylyn Herold 18, Roller 13, Katelyn Shaffner 12.

JHS — Kills, Addie Eamon 12, Jenna Stilwell 7, Siri Jystad 5, Josie Hegerle 4. Assists, Hegerle 21, Rebekah Horgan 3. Aces, Julina Niemeier 6, Hegerle 3. Blocks, Eamon 2, Stilwell 1. Digs, McKayla Orr 17, Meghan Orr 8, Niemeier 6.

Records: St. Mary’s 4-4 West Region, 8-7 overall. Jamestown 5-2, 12-5.

Sun sports writer Chris Aarhus can be reached at (701) 952-8462 or by email at caarhus@jamestownsun.com

Tags: sports, jays, volleyball