FIELD TWP- Last Thursday was a good night for the North Woods volleyball team and senior setter Talise Goodsky, who collected her 1,000th career set assist in the Grizzzlies’ 3-0 win over Northeast Range.
With Goodsky getting around 30 assists per match this season, it was a foregone conclusion that she would have a good shot at eclipsing the 1,000-assist plateau at home Thursday, and the North Woods student section came prepared to celebrate, wearing wild tropical attire and carrying several signs marking the accomplishment.
The players were clearly pumped up as well, putting the shackles on the Nighthawks early on with strong serving and good ball movement.
“We started off hot serving,” Head Coach Kandi Olson said. “It actually made us a little nervous for a few minutes because we were starting to rack up some points and wondering if we were going to get the set assist opportunities that we needed for the night.”
The Grizzlies cruised through the first two sets against the overmatched Nighthawks, winning both 25-9.
NER made it more competitive in the third set, and trailed 12-6 with the serve when River Cheney took a set from Goodsky and slammed it down for the score that gave Goodsky her 1,000th assist. The crowd went wild as play was stopped to acknowledge the achievement, with Olson giving Goodsky the ball and a plaque to mark the occasion. The Grizzlies topped off the celebration by closing out the match with a 25-16 win.
“We were so excited at the start of the season when Talise was popping up matches with 30 assists almost every night, if not more,” Olson said. “We knew we were going to have an awesome event happening during the season, and we’re so glad that we were able to do it at home tonight for her so all her family and friends could be here.”
“We feel so lucky to have Talise because she’s such a good leader on the floor,” Olson continued. “She’s a silent leader in some ways, but those who know her know she’s anything but silent. She has a great demeanor out on the court.”
Goodsky was quick to give due credit to her teammates for her achievement.
“Everyone on the court kept telling me ‘One more, two more,’” Goodsky said. “I tried to keep it out of my head so I wouldn’t get nervous. But I honestly couldn’t have done it without them. We need the passes and we need the hits for me to be able to get those assists. They’re amazing and such great teammates.”
Goodsky also appreciated the enthusiastic support from her fellow students.
“That was great – I love the students section,” she said. “We would not have the same energy without them.”
Olson also emphasized how Goodsky’s milestone was a reflection of the vitality of the Grizzlies volleyball program.
“Tonight was a big night not only for Talise but for the Grizzlies in general,” she said. “In order for that to happen it took the whole team – they had to pass, they had to set, and we had to have hitters put the ball down. It was awesome for the whole program, and obviously for our star for the night, Talise Goodsky.”
North Woods picked up their 12th win of the season against only two losses, while Northeast Range fell to 2-13. The Grizzlies were scheduled to be on the road Tuesday for a tough matchup against Ely, 13-5. All three of those teams are slated to play Saturday in a tournament at Mesabi East.