Every time senior outside hitter Chloe Ruge puts down a big kill or powers one of her jump serves over the net, Aurora Central Catholic feeds off the frenzy.
ACC coach Michelle Chavez, who also is Ruge’s mother, has seen that happen plenty of times over the years. And even she still gets caught up in the moment.
“She just brings the energy because she just feeds off the crowd,” Chavez said of Ruge. “Even if they’re against her, she just comes up and goes, ‘Give me more.’
“It’s like you’re feeding the beast. It may not be a good idea for the other team. She loves it.”
Ruge unleashed the beast several times Thursday night for the Chargers during a 25-18, 25-18 victory over host Aurora Christian.
The 5-foot-6 Ruge finished with seven kills and an ace and made them count for Aurora Central Catholic (17-14), particularly in the second game.
The Chargers fell behind 4-1 before quickly rallying. During an 8-2 run that gave ACC a 9-6 lead it would not relinquish, Ruge came up with three kills.
“It motivates me a lot,” Ruge said. “I don’t even know — it’s just like more energy. It’s more fun to hit the ball. It shows that we’re in a good mood.
“It’s good to keep it going and have that energy.”
Ruge’s lethal jump serve didn’t factor too much into Thursday’s win over Aurora Christian (12-14), but it’s an aspect the Chargers can rely on in big matches.
Ruge said she has been working on the serve since she was in sixth grade. She has progressed to the point where she can score whenever needed.
“Over the years, it just got better and I got more and more confident with it,” Ruge said. “It’s just funny because people are waiting to yell boom or whatever. It’s fun to do that.”
Chavez has been there for every step of Ruge’s development.
“It’s a big weapon,” Chavez said of the jump serve. “When she’s on, she can score five points just off that serve. She’s come to the point now where she’s a senior and she has it at the drop of a hat. She loves it. And again, they’re feeding the beast. The more they get into it, the more she wants to rip it harder.
“It was just continuous practice. We kept it quiet until she could perfect it. Then, practice makes perfect.”
Aurora Christian, meanwhile, hung around during both games but ultimately could not slow ACC down when it mattered most.
“One of the things is the knowledge that you can do it,” Aurora Christian coach Mayra Johnson said. “They did it a couple times. Sometimes, it’s that one ball that comes by quickly.”
Johnson pointed to the momentum Ruge provided when she put down a kill.
“She’s a great hitter,” Johnson said. “That gets in their head. This game is such a mental sport. Sometimes, these young girls at this age don’t get that yet.”
Hannah Hockensmith led Aurora Christian with six kills. Madalynn Johnson added four.
“We got off the court and I told the girls, ‘Yes, it’s a loss, but I’m so proud of you,'” Mayra Johnson said. “Putting the season in perspective, compared to last year, they’ve grown a lot.
“We’ve gone from 3-29 to 12-14. That’s huge. They learned a lot. I’m super proud of them.”
Although Ruge has missed a few matches this season due to various reasons, the Chargers ramped up without her.
Now, she’s at full strength. And the team has that experience as the playoffs approach.
“The girls know she’s a weapon for us,” Chavez said. “When she’s not there, we really need everybody to step up. The girls do a really good job of that.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.