Iola High’s volleyball team took the first step Thursday in what head coach Emily Sigg hopes will be a successful 2013 campaign. IOLA CONTINUED its solid play early against the Tigers, jumping out to a 5-2 lead. IOLA’S junior varsity squad also earned a split on the day, defeating Prairie View, 25-22, 25-23, and falling to Fort Scott, 25-13, 25-10.
The Fillies kicked off the evening session in fine fashion, downing visiting Prairie View in straight sets 25-18, 25-22. Iola couldn’t keep up with Fort Scott, the other school in the season-opening triangular, falling 25-16, 25-17.
“This was a good start for us, even with the loss,” Sigg said, adding that Iola’s quality of play already is a step up from the team’s struggles of 2012. “Now, it’s up to us to build on this.”
Allie Cleaver helped get things going for the Fillies with a three-point service run, thanks in large part to the solid net play by Emery Driskel and Mikaela Platt. Driskel had nine kills in the match, while Platt added five.
Meanwhile, Kyra Moore and Emma Piazza were solid all around, adding 11 assists and three kills each.
Driskel’s four-point service run helped Iola get a lead it would not relinquish in the opening set against the Buffalos. Moore followed with a three-point run.
Prairie View offered up a bit more resistance in the second game. The teams battled nose-to-nose until the Buffalos pulled ahead 21-17, forcing Iola to take a timeout.
Driskel rattled off three straight service points, pulling Iola to within 21-20.
Prairie View scored again before it retook the serve at 22-21. Piazza sealed the game, and the match, with four straight service points.
Piazza and Driskel led the defense with two and one solo blocks, respectively. Paige Miller added two kills; Addie Haar had one.
But Fort Scott’s imposing front line soon gave the Tigers the upper hand, rattling off six straight points and eventually leading 13-8.
Iola stayed within shouting distance before the Tigers closed the game with four straight service points. The run continued to start the second game as Fort Scott led 7-0.
Driskel scored a kill on a tip, followed by Cleaver’s ace to pull the Fillies to within 11-7.
But Iola could never get within four points the rest of the way. Fort Scott’s Delane Gray closed the match with two straight service points.
Driskel led the Fillies with five points, while Moore had six assists and three kills. Piazza added five assists and two kills. Driskel had three solo blocks. Ashlie Shields also had a kill.
Taylor Sell led the JV against Fort Scott with two kills, while Cassie Delich and McKayli Cleaver had 16 and 13 assists, respectively. Cleaver also had 13 digs, while Platt had four solo blocks.
Leading the way against Prairie View’s JV were Shelby Smith and Sell with three kills and Shields with two, Cassie Delich with 21 assists, and McKayli Cleaver with 14 assists and eight digs. Smith and Shields also had two solo blocks apiece.
The Fillies are at Central Heights today for a tournament. Iola’s junior varsity is hosting its own tournament today, starting at 8:30 a.m.
Fillies grab split to open 2013 season
