HUMBOLDT — Humboldt High’s Lady Cubs picked an opportune time to play some of their best volleyball of the season.
Humboldt took home second place Saturday in the Humboldt Invitational Tournament, losing its only matches of the day to Royal Valley, the top-ranked Class 3A team in the state.
Humboldt went 2-2 on the day, crushing Crest and Central Heights, while losing twice to the top-ranked Panthers.
“Playing the No. 1 team in 3A was a great opportunity to get better,” Humboldt head coach Terry Meadows said. “Our back row played awesome.”
Humboldt opened the day with a 25-4, 25-8 romp over Crest.
Jessica Myers and Jada Dangerfield each racked up four kills in the match, while Dangerfield and Isabelle Murrow each had blocks. Kenisyn Hottenstein and Myers led the way with eight and six ace serves. Kirstyn Murrow had nine set assists and three digs.
The Lady Cubs took on Royal Valley in the second round of pool play, losing 25-15, 25-19.
Kirstyn Murrow had five aces, 10 assists and eight kills, followed by Myers with five kills and two blocks. Hottenstein had a team-high 11 assists. Dangerfield led with 13 digs.
Humboldt ended pool play with a straight-sets victory over Central Heights, 25-18, 25-12.
Kady Hart pounded home six kills, while Kirstyn Murrow had five aces. Myers had a block and four digs. Kirsten Kobold also had four digs.
The 2-1 mark put Humboldt back against Royal Valley in the first-place match, with the Panthers replicating their earlier success in a 25-18, 25-13 victory.
Myers paced the Lady Cubs with four kills, while Kirstyn Murrow and Hottenstein had five and four assists, respectively. Kobold led with six digs.
“Brooklyn, Kirsten, Jada, and Jessica got a ton of balls up,” Meadows said. “We are really starting to put it all together and play some good volleyball.”
ELSEWHERE, Marmaton Valley High’s Wildcats finished second on its side of the tournament, finishing 2-2 on the day.
Marmaton Valley opened with wins over Altoona-Midway and Yates Center before falling to Pleasanton in its pool play finale, then again in its first-place match.
Against Altoona-Midway, Marmaton Valley cruised to a 25-16, 25-12 victory.
