Bennington Volleyball Rolls to Three Straight Wins

2–3 minutes

By Marisa Dawson

A group of young female volleyball players huddled together on the court, focusing and motivating each other before a match.

The Bennington Badgers varsity volleyball team is surging, picking up three consecutive victories to improve their record. The streak started with a hard-fought 3-1 home conference win over Elkhorn on Thursday, September 17, followed by a pair of decisive 2-0 non-conference road victories against Blair and Hastings on Saturday, September 19.

Against Elkhorn, Bennington prevailed 25-20, 25-23, 22-25, 25-21. The Antlers proved a tough opponent, having previously pushed another strong team to five sets earlier in the season. Head coach Sami Hansen was pleased with how her squad responded.

A group of volleyball players in a gymnasium, with one player jumping to strike the ball while others watch and prepare.
Quinn Sanmann goes up for a spike during the Badgers’ match against Elkhorn.

“Elkhorn’s a really good team… They really made us have to earn it,” Hansen said. “I’m really proud of how the girls came out fighting from the start and maintaining that intensity throughout the entire match.”

Several Badgers stepped up offensively. Brynn Rasmussen (pictured below) led the way with 14 kills, while Quinn Sanmann added 12. Paige Gargano hit an efficient .389 with seven kills, Emersyn Buechler contributed eight kills on a .333 hitting percentage, and Laila McGaugh chipped in five kills. On the defensive end, McGaugh dominated at the net with eight total blocks. Trina Schroeder dug up 26 balls, Berkeley Osborne added 19 digs and six service aces, and Addy Olson recorded 16 digs. Osborne and Ella Marcinek each dished out 21 assists, highlighting improved distribution.

A volleyball player wearing a black jersey with "Badgers" printed on it, smiling and gesturing with hands raised during a match. Other teammates are visible in the background.

Hansen pointed to several areas that clicked for her team. “Our middle setter connection. Honestly, our setter hitter connection in general was a lot better tonight compared to the previous couple of games, so it was great to see that fight finally clicking a little bit. Our defense looked really good. Blocking was solid as well, which is something we’ve been really emphasizing. They just applied a lot of things we’ve been working on in practices. It was really fun to see.”

The Badgers carried that momentum into Saturday’s doubleheader. They swept Blair 25-14, 25-19 on the road, then followed it up with another clean sweep of Hastings, 25-12, 25-14. Both results underscored Bennington’s ability to control play and finish sets efficiently.

A volleyball player in black attire leaps to spike the ball over the net during a match, with spectators in the background watching intently.
Laila Mcgaugh sends the ball over the net with a powerful spike.

Looking ahead, Hansen said the focus remains on refining fundamentals. “Just consistency. So across the entire game. Server seam defense, blocking. Continuing to establish those hitter setter connections since we have two new setters this year.”

With three wins in a row and growing confidence in key connections on the court, the Badgers are building positive momentum as the season progresses.

A volleyball team stands in line on the court during an event, wearing black uniforms and holding participation awards, with a crowd of spectators visible in the background.
A group of cheerleaders in blue and white uniforms, holding pink pom-poms, standing along a gym wall.
A volleyball match in a gymnasium, featuring players receiving a serve. One player in a black uniform is preparing to pass the ball, while another in a white uniform is positioned behind her. In the background, a group of spectators is watching the game.
A volleyball player in a black uniform prepares to receive the ball while another player in a white uniform stands nearby, in a gymnasium filled with spectators.
A volleyball game in progress, featuring a player in a white jersey attempting to spike the ball over the net, while two defenders in black jerseys jump to block the shot. One player in the background raises her arms in anticipation.
A volleyball match in progress with players in black and white uniforms on the court. One player is setting the ball while teammates prepare for a play. The bleachers are filled with spectators.
Two female volleyball players jumping to block a volleyball at the net during a match, with spectators in the background.
A volleyball player in mid-jump serving the ball, surrounded by cheerleaders in blue and white uniforms.
A volleyball player in a black uniform is preparing to set the ball during a game, while teammates and spectators observe in a gymnasium.
A volleyball player is in a crouched position, preparing to receive a serve, while another player stands nearby. The gymnasium is filled with spectators in the background.
A volleyball player jumping to serve the ball, wearing a black jersey and shorts with pink shoes and white knee socks, against a blue gymnasium backdrop.
A volleyball player in mid-air preparing to hit the ball during a game, with teammates and spectators visible in the background.
A volleyball player jumps to spike the ball over the net during a match, while two opposing players attempt to block the shot. Team members and spectators are visible in the background.
A cheerleading team performs in a gym, with one cheerleader elevated above the others while holding pom-poms. The athletes wear blue and white uniforms, and the background features blue walls and hardwood flooring.
A volleyball match in progress with a player in a white jersey number 15 jumping to hit the ball over the net, while two opposing players in black jerseys attempt to block the shot. In the background, spectators are watching the game.
A volleyball match in progress, featuring two players from the team in black and white jerseys. One player is diving to receive a volleyball on the court, while the other stands ready to react. Spectators can be seen in the stands, creating an energetic atmosphere.
Four female volleyball players celebrating together on the court, wearing matching black jerseys with 'BADGERS' printed on them.
A volleyball player jumps to hit the ball during a match, with teammates observing and the audience visible in the background.
A volleyball player in a black uniform jumps to serve the ball, with spectators in the background.
A cheerleading squad performing a stunt, featuring one cheerleader lifted above others in a gymnasium with blue walls.
A female volleyball player jumps to spike the ball during a match, wearing a black jersey with the number 12, white knee pads, and pink sneakers. Spectators can be seen in the background.
A group of four female volleyball players celebrating together on the court, smiling and showing excitement. Players are wearing black jerseys with blue accents, and one jersey has 'Badgers' written on it.
A volleyball player in a black uniform crouches to receive a ball during a game, while spectators sit in the background on blue bleachers.
A volleyball player in a black uniform jumps to spike the ball over the net during a game, with spectators in the background.

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