Iola High capped a special evening with a special performance on the volleyball court Tuesday evening. WELLSVILLE RACED to a 6-1 run to start the opener, and never looked back. Shields’ kill pulled Iola within a point, 19-18, before the Eagles ended the set with a 6-2 run. THE VOLLEYBALL action was fun, but secondary, at times during the evening.
Players, coaches and fans dressed in pink for breast cancer awareness as part of the school’s “Pink Out” festivities.
On the court, the proceedings started slowly for the Fillies, who fell in straight sets to visiting Wellsville, then dropped the first game of their match to Osawatomie.
Iola rebounded nicely in the second and third games, hitting its groove against the Trojans in a come-from-behind victory.
Iola fell to Wellsville, 25-20, 25-19, and downed Osawatomie, 11-25, 25-15, 25-19.
The split gives the Fillies a 10-14 record on the season.
The Fillies’ performance against Osawatomie was a near carbon copy of a match earlier this season, IHS head coach Emily Sigg noted.
“We started out slowly and lost badly in the first set in that one, too,” Sigg said. “But we rebounded.”
The key, Sigg said, was Iola’s improved passing.
“Our hustle was great,” she said, “and our passing got better through the match. We started out poorly against Wellsville, but did a little better the second game. Then, our passing got even better against Osawatomie. When we pass well, we play better.”
Osawatomie raced to a 17-3 lead to take control of its first game, and never let the lead get within single digits.
The momentum shifted in Iola’s favor in the second set. Ashlie Shields had a kill, a block and an ace as part of a 9-2 run to put the Fillies on top 14-9. Driskel followed with three kills over Iola’s next six points to push the lead to 20-11. An Addie Haar kill was the winner.
Kyra Moore and Emma Piazza spearheaded the charge to start the third set. Moore had a kill and an ace, while Piazza knocked in a pair of kills as the Fillies broke a 5-5 deadlock with an 8-0 run to lead 13-5.
Emery Driskel’s kill and ace gave the Fillies a 17-9 lead. Mikaela Platt punched in a kill to push the lead to 22-13. Driskel’s smash killed another to put the lead at 23-14.
Osawatomie didn’t go quietly, putting together a 5-1 run before Haar’s winner down the line ended the match.
Driskel led the way for the Fillies with 10 kills and 8 solo blocks, while Piazza had 20 assists. Emma Sigg and Allie Cleaver both had a pair of digs. Kyra Moore added 10 assists.
The Eagles showed why they remain undefeated in Pioneer League action in the second set as well, breaking a 4-4 tie with a 9-3 run to take control. Iola pulled within 14-12 but could get no closer.
Driskel had five kills and three solo blocks. Piazza had six assists and Moore five. Moore also had a pair of digs.
The players, coaches and many fans donned pink garb as part of the school’s “Pink Out” festivities for breast cancer awareness.
Sigg addressed the crowd prior to the Osawatomie match, noting Tuesday happened to be the one-year anniversary of her mother, Angie Larson’s, breast cancer diagnosis.
The diagnosis came during a routine mammogram her mother had done annually.
As a result of the early detection, doctors are confident the cancer can be treated, an emotional Sigg told the crowd.
The volleyball team raised $827 through a variety of fundraisers to give to Kappa Alpha chapter of Phi Tau Omega, a local sorority that benefits local cancer patients.
“And they don’t just help breast cancer patients,” Sigg said.
Sign-up sheets for mammogram appointments at Allen County Regional Hospital were set up in the commons area, while large pink ribbons adorned the gymnasium wall. In addition, mothers of volleyball players sold baked goods and other items to raise funds for IHS instructor Betty Hawley, who is battling cancer.
“We just tried to make it a special night,” Sigg said.
Mission accomplished.
Wellsville def. Iola, 2-0
(25-20, 25-19)
Addie Haar, 2 kills, 1 solo block
Ashlie Shields, 2 kills, 1 dig, 1 solo block
Kyra Moore, 2 kills, 5 assists, 2 digs, 1 solo block
Emma Piazza, 6 assists, 1 ace
Emery Driskel, 5 kills, 1 ace, 1 dig, 3 solo blocks, 1 block assist
Mikaela Platt, 2 kills
Iola def. Osawatomie, 2-1
(11-25, 25-15, 25-19)
Addie Haar, 6 kills
Emma Sigg, 2 digs
Kyra Moore, 4 kills, 10 assists, 1 ace
Allie Cleaver, 2 digs
Emma Piazza, 5 kills, 20 assists
Emery Driskel, 10 kills, 1 ace, 8 solo blocks, 1 block assist
Hannah Endicott, 1 dig
Mikaela Platt, 3 kills, 1 block assist
Ashlie Shields, 3 kills, 1 ace, 2 solo blocks
Fillies earn split, raise funds for ‘Pink Out’
