PARSONS — Communication a big factor in play on the volleyball court.
“When we play good, communicate and hustle, we win games. We did that against Columbus not so much against Parsons,” said Jodi Grover, Iola High head volleyball coach.
In their second set of Southeast Kansas League matches of the season, the Fillies went 1-1 Thursday at Parsons High School. The split put the Fillies at 1-3 in SEK play and 6-11 overall.
The Fillies defeated Columbus 25-21, 21-25, 25-20. They lost 19-25, 26-24, 25-13 to Parsons.
“We have been working on pursing the ball till we get it or run into another object. It’s about making the girls understand our lack of effort at times is costing us the win,” Grover said.
Grover said the Fillies picked their hitting back up and spread the ball around more. She was pleased that Iola’s passing off of serve receive was again over 70 percent.
“We still need to be more aggressive at the net. We sent tips over the net instead of attacking with intensity,” Grover said.
Riana Dolenz delivered 16 kills and five solo blocks at the net for Iola. Kendra Taiclet had 11 kills and four solo blocks.
Kelsey Larson provided 11 kills but also had 17 set assists. Toni Taylor put up 16 assists and had eight kills.
Kirstin McGuffin had three kills. Celeste Ambrose had two kills and an assisted block. McGuffin made seven digs and taylor had six digs.
Taiclet came up with five digs while Dolenz and Kelsey Adams each had three digs.
From the service line, Larson and Adams each had three ace serves.
“Celeste was able to help us on the front row with her height for blocking and hits over the opponents blocks,” Grover said.
“Kirstin, Kelsey Adams and Celeste are working on hitting consistency. It’s at the the time in our season to go with who is making our team better.”
Iola’s junior varsity had the same result Thursday. It beat Columbus 25-16, 22-25, 15-12 and lost to host Parsons 25-22, 25-11.
Katie Thompson led the net attack with 12 kills and one solo block. Libby Shay had eight kills and a solo block. Tori Snavely had three kills and 14 set assists.
Emma Sigg had two kills. Essence Owens and Paige Miller each had one kill.
Sigg came up with 13 digs on the night. Shay and Alyssa Zimmerman each had seven digs. Miller and Thompson had three digs apiece.
Snavely had four serving aces. Shay, Zimmerman, Sigg and Owens each had two service aces.
The Fillies’ varsity plays in the Ottawa High Invitational Saturday. They are in a pool with Lansing, Blue Valley West and Olathe North.
Iola plays Blue Valley West first in the second pool match. Play begins at 8 a.m.
“Saturday will be a day filled with some of the top teams in the state. We will see some great volleyball,” Grover said.
Fillies net SEK road victory
