Panthers go 1-2 at Carlisle

CARLISLE — Creston’s volleyball team picked up its first victory of the 2024 season in a quadrangular meet Thursday hosted by Carlisle.

Oskaloosa swept the Panthers in the opening round, 21-15, 21-17; Creston rebounded to take two straight from West Marshall, 21-13, 21-17; before the Panthers ended the night in falling to Class 4A fourth-ranked Carlisle, 21-13, 21-17.

With head coach Naomi Sharp unable to attend because of a family emergency, assistant coach Blair Glendenning and freshman coach Trish Calvin handled the sideline duties Thursday. Glendenning said there were several encouraging signs from the Panthers coming off the season-opening loss at Carroll Kuemper Catholic earlier in the week.

Avery Staver’s ace serve kept Creston tied with the state-ranked Wildcats at 13-13 before eventually falling 21-17 in the final game of the night.

“Our blockers were getting touches on their big hitters, so that slowed the ball down for us,” Glendenning said. “Our defense was passing dimes tonight.”

Hollynn Rieck and Braylee Pokorny combined for one solo block and four assist blocks against the Wildcats, who featured 6-1 middle hitter Sydney Light and 6-0 outside hitter AshleeKay Christensen. Pokorny, at 5-10, is Creston’s tallest player.

The Panther offense had its moments against Carlisle, led by Rieck and Jaycee Hanson with three kills each. Setters Kadley Bailey and Rieck were on target.

“We have some high volleyball IQ setters and that helps us on the court,” Glendenning said. “We consider them to be like our quarterback out there.”

All phases were clicking in the 2-0 victory over West Marshall. Creston broke away from a tight 18-17 edge to end on a 3-0 run for the clinching win.

“We got out on a run in the first set,” Glendenning said. “Our energy was there and we know when our energy is there, everything else will fall into place. Our passing across the board really kept us in the games tonight.”

Libero Avery Staver had a team-high 10 digs and served three aces in the victory. Rieck pounded seven kills and Hanson added five.

The Panther assistant said blocking was strong against Oskaloosa, despite the close sets going the Indians’ way by six and four points. Hope Henderson had four solo blocks and two assists, and Rieck had three solo blocks along with five kills.

“We definitely competed with Oskaloosa,” Glendenning said. “We adjusted to some of their hitters and the girls were disciplined in staying with those adjustments. We’ve been working a lot on our blocking.”

The first home match for the Panthers (1-3) is Thursday in the Hawkeye Ten Conference home opener against Shenandoah.

Oskaloosa 2, Creston 0

Serving (aces) — Kadley Bailey 8-10, Avery Staver 7-8, Mila Kuhns 6-7, Jaycee Hanson 5-6.

Attacks (kills) — Hanson 13-15 (3), Hollynn Rieck 6-8 (5), Bailey 10-10 (2).

Blocks (solo-assists) — Hope Henderson 4-2, Rieck 3-0, Braylee Pokorny 2-0, Hanson 0-2.

Setting (assists) — Bailey 4.0, Rieck 2.5.

Digs — Avery Staver 9, Kuhns 3, Rieck 3.

Creston 2, West Marshall 0

Serving (aces) — A. Staver 13-14 (3), Bailey 8-8 (1).

Attacks (kills) — Rieck 20-20 (7), Hanson 15-18 (5), Henderson 3-3 (3), Ella Turner 8-11 (3).

Blocks — Hanson 1-1, Pokorny 1-1, Henderson 1-1.

Setting (assists) — Bailey 5.5, Rieck 1.5.

Digs — A. Staver 10, Kuhns 4, Bailey 4.

Carlisle 2, Creston 0

Serving (aces) — A. Staver 8-1 (1), Hanson 5-5, Rieck 3-3.

Attacks (kills) — Hanson 14-17 (3), Rieck 7-10 (3).

Blocks — Rieck 1-2, Pokorny 0-2.

Setting (assists) — Bailey 2.5, Rieck 1.0

Digs — A. Staver 7, Kuhns 3.