YATES CENTER — Getting a little boost as they head into Southeast Kansas League play, Iola High’s Fillies notched two victories Tuesday.
The Fillies improved to 6-12 overall with wins over host Yates Center High’s Wildcats and Fredonia High’s Yellowjackets. Iola opens SEK play Thursday at home against Independence and Pittsburg.
Iola had slow starts in both matches Tuesday. The Fillies battled back to beat Fredonia 22-25, 25-20, 25-19 and to defeat Yates Center 13-25, 26-24, 25-18.
“There were moments we played like we knew we were capable of playing. Our intensity level lifted and we played well in the final two sets of each match,” said Jodi Grover, Fillies’ head coach.
“That’s a baby step as we created wins. We are still making some elementary errors so there’s plenty to work on in practices.”
Grover said Iola fell behind 13-6 in the first set with Fredonia. Celeste Ambrose and Riana Dolenz stepped up and served the Fillies back in the set.
“We were not in sync with each other to run an offense or defense that worked,” Grover said. “Keli Lee started off the second set serving five straight points and we were able to stay ahead.”
Grover said the Fillies’ execution was much better and they played under control. The third set was close until the end with Kyra Moore and Dolenz serving.
“In the first set with Yates Center, we were thinking ‘let’s get this over and start fresh,’ because we never were in the set,” Grover said.
The Fillies found their composure, winning the next two sets. Both were close.
Moore and Libby Shay were setting the ball for the Fillies. Moore finished with 15 set assists and Shay had eight assists.
“Kyra and Libby appeared to settle down and get into a rhythm. Celeste and Emery (Driskel) were hitting harder on the outside,” Grover said.
“Our front row players were getting hands on balls taking the speed off for the defense against Yates Center.”
Kendra Taiclet led the net attack with 13 kills and six solo blocks. Dolenz put up six solo blocks and had six kills. Ambrose had six kills and a solo block and Driskel downed seven kills.
Shay served up five aces and Taiclet had two ace serves. Ambrose and Dolenz each had an ace serve.
Lee came up with 19 digs. Dolenz and Taiclet each had eight digs and Shay had six digs. Emma Sigg had a dig and a kill.
Iola’s varsity was without Kelsey Adams, who is out with a sprained ankle, and Tori Snavely, who has a separated shoulder.
Iola’s junior varsity lost two matches. Fredonia beat Iola 25-20, 24-26, 15-8 and Yates Center beat Iola 25-21, 17-25, 15-13.
Mackenzie Weseloh had 14 set assists for Iola and had seven ace serves. Chanel Coyne had 10 kills and three solo blocks on the night. Alyssa Zimmerman had seven kills and one ace serve.
Katie Thompson had three kills and seven ace serves. Hanna Endicott had seven ace serves and two kills. Breanna Stout had four kills and three ace serves.
Fillies notch two wins
