HUMBOLDT After a subpar performance in the Burlington Pre-season Invitational with a 1-3 finish, the Humboldt Lady Cubs volleyball team was striving for perfection on Tuesday.
The Lady Cubs hosted a three team round-robin tournament against Oswego and Neodesha, winning both matches in three sets.
We pulled out when we needed to, and struggled a little bit in each game, head coach Terry Meadows said. We fought back, and pulled it back together in each game for the win.
At times, the Lady Cubs have struggled to find a groove.They are still working on chemistry and learning how to communicate. Meadows insists the communication is a work in progress, and is making it a key component of his practices.
In practice, they are running if they dont call the ball, Meadows said. Even if they are going for a drink and see a ball on the ground, they have to call it. We harp on calling the ball three times, if not, then they have to run two laps. By the end of the day, they are calling the ball.
Another aspect for improvement is serving. Meadows insists the girls are improving, but when Humboldt does miss serves, they seem to come at a bad time. Meadows has set a 90% serving goal, which the Lady Cubs achieved against Neodosha but failed to accomplish versus Oswego.
In the Lady Cubs first match against Oswego, Humboldt finished with set scores of 28-26, 18-25, and 25-20. Libero Emma Johnson was solid as a rock in the back row, leading the Lady Cubs with seven digs, and her sister, Alayna, was successful at finding her teammates accumulating 20 assists. Jessica Myers was superb on the attack, picking up 13 kills.
Humboldt came out sluggish in their second match versus Neodesha. The Lady Cubs dropped the first set 26-28, but came back firing in the final two sets with scores of 25-15 and 25-20. Emma Johnson once again led the Lady Cubs from the back row. The senior picked up 14 digs and Myers propelled the attack with 14 kills.
Meadows had high remarks for Emma and Myers.
Jessica (Myers) did well at the net for us, and her heighth helps, Meadows said. Emma does well in the back row, and we can count on her serving. She is probably my most solid player.
The Lady Cubs have been without key middle-hitter Jada Dangerfield, who has been out with an injury. Meadows has deployed Jailynn Goforth as Dangerfields replacement for the time being. Meadows finds out today whether Dangerfield will be back in play.
NEXT UP for the Lady Cubs is another home round-robin tournament against Cherryvale and Baxter Springs on Sept 17.
Humboldt JV
The Lady Cubs JV squad won both matches against Neodesha and Oswego. Against Neodesha, Humboldt won both sets comfortably, 25-15 and 25-10. Anna Goforth led with six aces and Kady Hart was a force at the net with four kills. Humboldt duplicated the success versus Oswego. Goforth did a little bit of everything by racking in six kills, one block, and three digs to help hand Humboldt both sets by scores of 25-15 and 25-20.
Crest
The Lady Lancers traveled to Pleasanton on Tuesday for a four team round-robin tournament. Crest beat Pleasanton in two sets by scores of 25-16 and 25-20, but was unable to finish off St. Paul and Southern Coffey County losing both matches in three sets.
