Heritage's Dylla is settling in

New position pays off against Smoky Hill

Alan Pearce, Rocky Mountain News

Wednesday, September 5, 2007

LITTLETON - It took until Heritage's home opener for Ann Dylla to feel at home in her new position.

Dylla, a 6-foot senior who has a volleyball scholarship to the University of Georgia, has been a middle blocker for her entire career.

But this season, Heritage coach Doug Schafer switched her to outside hitter, where she is getting a lot more swings.

"It's growing on me," she said. "It's something I've never done before. But I've become more comfortable with it this (match) compared to the first time (a loss to Chatfield)."

Dylla's 12 kills Tuesday helped the ninth-ranked Eagles to a 25-19, 23-25, 25-16, 25-17 victory against 10th-ranked Smoky Hill.

Seven of those kills came during the first game, when Dylla also compiled two blocks and two aces.

"The first game, we were able to work the outside a lot," Dylla said. "Even when the set was off the net, we were able to do something with it."

Schafer noted Dylla's improvement over the season opener.

"She hit well (Tuesday)," he said. "Not the best against Chatfield. She's starting to learn what to do with the set that's off (the net). And when it's in her wheelhouse, she's hitting high and hard."

Smoky Hill (1-1) already had to deal with a hot outside hitter in its season opener last week, but the Buffaloes were able to keep Loveland's talented Shelby Workman from leading the Indians to a win.

Dylla, though, couldn't be stopped early, Katey Powers was also effective, and other Eagles were able to come through.

Part of the reason the Eagles (1-1) hit so well is setters Hilary Cavanaugh and Annie Collins were able to run quick plays and use back sets over and over.

The Eagles have a couple of promising replacements in the middle with Haley Jennings (eight kills, one block) and Kim Lockridge (seven kills, one block).

Smoky Hill couldn't run its offense as effectively. Middle Kelly Miller managed nine kills, but she has seen the Buffaloes' attack look better.

"I don't think it's that they served so well," Miller said. "I think we broke down in the lanes."

Powers was the defensive standout of the match and also led all players with five aces.

SH - Devon Rice (5 kills, 7 hitting errors, 2 blocks, 1 serving error, 2 aces), Cally Fensten (1HE, 1SE, 1A), Amanda Arterburn (8K, 4HE, 2SE), Emi Meis (2K, 5HE, 1B, 1SE, 1A), Ashley Kelican (4K, 1HE, 4SE, 1A), Lexi Pappas (4K, 1HE, 3B, 1SE), KellyMiller (9K, 2HE, 2B).

H - Amy Hammerlund (3K, 5HE, 3B, 1SE, 1A), Sarah Jaeckel (10K, 4HE, 1B, 2SE, 2A), Hilary Cavanaugh (1HE, 3A), Katey Powers (8K, 3HE, 1SE, 5A), Ann Dylla (12K, 5HE, 3B, 2SE, 2A), Haley Jennings (8K, 2HE, 1B, 1A), Annie Collins (3SE, 2A), Kim Lockridge (7K, 4HE, 1B).

pearcea@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5352