Area volleyball briefs - Aug. 24

This week kicks off area fall sports, local volleyball teams getting in their first matches of the season.

Creston v. Oskaloosa

The Panthers opened their season Thursday with a quadrangular in Carlisle where they fell in the three non-conference matches.

The young Creston team put up a fight in set one against Oskaloosa, falling in a narrow 21-18 defeat. Game two was a resounding 12-21 loss.

Senior Kolbey Bailey led the team against the Indians with three aces. She also logged three kills. Jaycee Hanson led with four kills.

On defense, libero Mila Kuhns led with four digs.

“We competed against some very good teams last night,” Coach Teresa Arkfeld said. “We had good passing and good hitting. We now just have to put those two things together.”

Creston v. West Marshall

The Trojans dominated the Panthers, winning 6-21 and 12-21.

“A couple stand outs on the night were senior Bailee Schmitt and junior Mila Kuhns,” Coach Arkfeld said. “Bailee kept swinging all night and put the ball away for us. Mila Kuhns stepped up into the role of libero for us this year, and last night she proved her role as she was diving and digging up some hard hit balls all over the court.”

Kuhns once again led on defense with seven digs. Schmitt led the team against West Marshall with four kills.

Hollynn Rieck was an asset on all sides of the game, logging an ace, a kill, five assists and a dig against the Trojans.

Creston v. Carlisle

Against Carlisle, the Panthers fell 7-21 and 14-21.

Sophomore setter Kadley logged seven assists against the Wildcats to lead the team.

Brynn Tussey was dominant on offense with four kills.

Hanson was well-rounded, logging two aces, two kills and three digs.

“Our serving was not good and to stay on offense you have to be able to serve the ball but that is an easy fix and we will be back better this weekend in Lenox,” Coach Arkfeld said.

The Panthers return to action Saturday for a tournament in Lenox and and Monday at home against Southwest Valley.

Southwest Valley v. East Mills

The Timberwolves opened their season Thursday with a triangular in Malvern.

Their first match against East Mills ended in a 2-1 Southwest Valley victory.

The team won 25-20 in the first set, fell 25-21 in the second and won the final set 15-12.

“As a team we played well,” Southwest Valley Coach Lisa Sparks said. “Serving was a huge part of our success as we served a 98% efficiency. We also had a great offensively with multiple girls being effective.”

Junior Katey Lillie led the team with eight kills followed by senior Charlee Larsen with six.

In the back row, Haidyn Top finished with a team-high 11 digs of the night.

Southwest Valley v. Essex

Southwest Valley dominated Essex in the second match, winning 25-8 in set one and 25-17 in set two to sweep the triangular.

“We again served well getting a little more agressive and still being consistant at the line,” Coach Sparks said. Larsen, Mackenzie Fast, and Tierney Dalton all lead the way with three kills each. Morgan Shuler did well handing out 30 assists on the night.”

The Timberwolves return to action 7:15 p.m. Monday in Creston.

Mount Ayr v. Bedford

The Raiderettes fell in their season opener against Pride of Iowa opponent Bedford 3-1.

Mount Ayr took the first set 25-17 and lost 25-19 in a close second set. The Bulldogs continued their dominance in a 13-25 victory in set three. The Raiderettes fought for a fifth set, but fell 25-20 in the fourth to end the match.

Senior setter Hayden Ruggles logged 15 assists, two blocks and six aces to lead Mount Ayr. Junior Breya Nickle had eight digs on defense and eight kills on offense to lead in both stats.

The Raiderettes return to action in a Monday quadrangular in Lenox.

East Union v. Twin Cedars

The Eagles begin their season 1-0 after defeating the Twin Cedar Sabers Tuesday on the road.

The match went to the full fives sets, East Union taking the second and third 25-30 and 25-22, respectively. The Sabers won the first and fourth 25-20 and 25-19, respectively. It all came down to the final match to 15 where the Eagles pulled out the 15-11 victory.

Sophomores Sidney and Avery Staver dominated, Sidney leading with 18 assists and Avery leading with 28 digs.

Sophomore Haley Willett performed well at the net with a block and six kills.

Junior Kinzey Ripperger served five aces.

The Eagles return to action Saturday at a tournament at Clarke.