Harvard blows past Newman Central

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OREGON – Katarina Rotta was just using what her coach showed the team earlier in the week.

Harvard coach Kelly Brierley stressed aggressive serving in the Hornets’ practices leading up to their Class 2A Oregon Sectional semifinal match against Newman Central Catholic, and Rotta responded with four aces at key times to lead Harvard to a two-game sweep against the Comets.

Harvard advances to the sectional final against Savannah West Carroll at 7 p.m. Thursday in Oregon.

Rotta, a freshman setter, had three aces in four attempts in the first game, leading to a 10-point rally to give the Hornets a 25-10 win in set one, and her final ace was the finishing touch on Hornets’ 25-17 win in the second set, closing out the match.

“[Rotta] has a really aggressive serve,” Brierley said. “Newman had a real hard time returning it and receiving it.”

Rotta’s serves meshed with Brierley’s game plan.

Brierley said that Newman was a good blocking team, and a well-rounded offense is the best way to combat that. The Comets’ defense struggled to block the Hornets attacks, and Harvard’s hitters flourished.

Ashleigh Fisher had 10 kills, Brittany Finke had five and Megan Struck added four.

“We were getting contributions from everybody,” Brierley said “When we spread our offense out like that, it makes it pretty lethal.”

Harvard’s success on offense led Newman to struggle offensively and defensively, and kept the Comets off-balance all night, Newman coach Jay Howell said. When the Comets could attack, they were handled by libero Marcy Nystrom, who had nine digs, and middle blocker Struck, who had four blocks.

“We all had a lot of nerves before the game,” Rotta said. “After we got started and the first five points, we got loose and were ready to go.”

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