RICHMOND — Iola High’s volleyball team took on some tough competition Saturday at the Fillies’ first tournament of the year. HUMBOLDT ALSO had its struggles at the start, but improved as the day went along, head coach Stephanie Splechter said. THE FILLIES resume action Saturday at home with the annual Iola Invitational Tournament. Humboldt hosts Neodesha and Oswego Tuesday.
And as in their season opener two days earlier, the Fillies continue to show signs of improvement, head coach Emily Sigg said.
Iola brought home fourth in the Central Heights tournament, courtesy of its 2-2 record.
Humboldt High’s Lady Cubs also competed in the tournament, going 1-3.
The Fillies dropped a tough opener to Class 3A power Burlington, falling 25-21, 25-23, and then fell to Waverly, 25-17, 25-20.
The struggles continued early on against Central Heights, before the Fillies found their footing midway through the match and captured a come-from behind, 23-25, 25-23, 25-16 victory.
Iola capped the day with a 25-22, 25-22 win over Prairie View.
“The girls played great against Burlington,” Sigg said. “We struggled against Waverly and half of the Central Heights match, but we finished the day well. I’m happy with the continued improvement.”
Addie Haar, Kyra Moore and Emery Driskel led the way against Burlington with five kills apiece. Moore also had 18 assists. Emma Piazza delivered eight kills, six assisted blocks and eight assists. Driskel had two solo and nine assisted blocks. Emma Sigg had eight digs, Allie Cleaver had three, and Moore and Piazza both had assists.
Driskel kept up her hot hand against Waverly with six kills, three digs and four solo blocks, while Piazza had seven assists with two kills. Ashlie Shields also had two kills. Moore notched five assists. Allie Cleaver finished with three digs and two aces. Haar and Halie Cleaver each had three digs. Haar also had two aces.
Driskel was a powerhouse against Central Heights, pounding down 20 kills in the three-set thriller. Haar notched four kills, while Moore, Piazza and Shields had three apiece. Moore and Piazza led the way with 20 and 10 assists, respectively. Driskel and Shields each had blocks. Allie Cleaver had six digs. Driskel also served up four aces.
Driskel was a powerhouse in the win over Prairie View, pounding down 10 kills with two solo blocks, while Moore and Piazza had eight and four assists, respectively. Lower, Driskel and Moore each had two aces at serve.
The Lady Cubs fell to Wellsville, 25-4, 25-23, to Rossville by scores of 25-15, 25-15 and to Prairie View, 25-17, 25-20.
Humboldt rebounded to knock off the host Vikings in three sets, 25-14, 21-25, 25-11.
“We started off really rough,” Splechter said, noting that senior setter Anna Setter missed the competition with an injury.
“Younger girls filling in let their nerves get the better of them,” Splechter said. “I saw some good things and we improved as the day progressed. We learned a lot about ourselves today, and I am confident we are going to continue to get better.”
Breanna Kline and Sheri Middleton had four kills apiece against Wellsville. Middleton also had two blocks and six points.
Middleton led the way against Rossville with three kills and flour blocks. Kayle Riebel had five digs and two kills. Kline also had two kills.
Middleton’s four kills and 2 1/2 blocks led Humboldt against Prairie View. Annalise Whitcomb had eight assists.
Kline was the kills leader in the win over Central Heights with 10. Middleton was close behind with nine with seven blocks and three digs. Kline also had three digs.
Fillies stay even in tourney play
