GARNETT — Iola High’s volleyball squad fell behind early Saturday, dropping the first seven points of their Class 4A substate match against Anderson County.
The Fillies didn’t go away quietly, scoring the next four points to get back into the match. But they never could draw any closer, eventually dropping the game, 25-17.
The second game was nip and tuck through the early portions. Iola even took a brief lead, 10-9.
But the upper hand was short lived. Anderson County responded with five straight points to lead 14-10, an advantage the Lady Bulldogs never relinquished.
Anderson County led by four before the Fillies rallied one final time. Iola forced the Lady Bulldogs into consecutive returns out of bounds. Emery Driskel’s ace pulled Iola to within 20-19. The teams traded points until a net error and Lady Bulldog block gave Anderson County the margin it needed. A Lady Bulldog kill ended the game, and match, 25-21.
The loss ended Iola’s season at 14-21, and left head coach Emily Sigg disappointed but optimistic.
“I’m proud of what these girls did,” Sigg said. “They were able to double their win total from a year ago. It took us a while to get it started, but we were able to bounce back.”
The loss ended the high school careers of seniors Hannah Endicott, Allie Cleaver, Halie Cleaver, Karlie Lower, Emma Sigg and Paige Miller.
“I’m sad to lose our seniors because of the leadership and energy they provided for the team,” Coach Sigg said. “They made this season a lot of fun.”
That sadness is tempered by Iola’s strong returning cast for next year and beyond.
Driskel, Emma Piazza, Kyra Moore and Addie Haar will return as seniors, while sophomores Ashlie Shields and Mikaela Platt starred frequently on the court.
“I told the girls in the locker room to remember how this feels,” Sigg said, “to use this as motivation to get better for next season.”
Anderson County was eliminated in the substate championship to Burlington, which advances to the Class 4A, Division II state tournament Friday and Saturday in Salina.
Fillies bow out at substate
