Lincoln Lutheran Wins Malcolm Invite Title

<p>The Lincoln Lutheran Warriors remain undefeated after winning the Malcolm Invite Title today. The Warriors are now off to a 10-0 start for the 2018 season. Pool play for the tournament began on Thursday evening, then the tournament concluded early this afternoon. Lincoln Lutheran went 5-0 en route to winning the title and did not drop a set.</p> <p>The Warriors played against host Malcolm in the championship match. Their match was a rematch of last year’s Malcolm Invite Title match won by Lincoln Lutheran. In the first set Malcolm’s tough serving kept it close at the beginning, but Lincoln Lutheran’s offense was too much for Malcolm to handle. Lutheran won the first set 25-16. The Warriors started off even stronger in the second set, and the Clippers had no answer for Lutheran’s offense and could not get into a rhythm themselves. Junior <strong>Marriah Buss</strong> (Witchita State commit) put down 11 kills in the championship match for the Warriors. Buss hit .562 for the match and senior outside <strong>Josie Puelz</strong> hit .333 in the title match. Lutheran’s freshman middle <strong>Ashlyn DeBoer</strong> hit .333 as well in the match and put down one of the final kills in the 2nd set. Junior middle <strong>Abi Wohlgemuth</strong> was effective with her slide attack and had a couple crucial blocks in the 2nd set. Senior right side <strong>Ella Moll</strong> hit .200 in the match.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Warriors dominated the 2nd set as well and won it 25-15. Lincoln Lutheran’s defense has been a huge part of their success so far this season. Senior libero <strong>Erin Williams</strong> (Omaha commit) leads the team in digs with 131 so far this season. Their senior setter <strong>Hope Leimbach</strong> (Midland commit) has 84 on the year and also broke the school’s individual assist record during the championship match today. Senior DS <strong>Megan Garbe</strong> has 61 digs on the year and junior DS <strong>Lexie Kreizel</strong> is right behind her with 57 digs on the year. Marriah Buss also has 73 digs so far this season.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Lincoln Lutheran might the biggest test of their season so far next weekend at the Seward tournament. Wahoo and Omaha Concordia will be in the other pool next Saturday meaning Lincoln Lutheran could face off against top ranked Wahoo in tournament play. Seward and class B powerhouse Omaha Duschesne are in the tournament as well.</p>