INDEPENDENCE — In a three-set volleyball match, the first team to 15 points wins.
“Before the third set, we discussed what we needed to do. It is important to come out strong in the third set since it only goes to 15. There just isn’t time for early mistakes. We took control of the third set and won,” said Terri Carlin, head coach of Iola Middle School’s eighth-grade volleyball team.
The IMS eighth-grade A-team worked through some mistakes to win the first set 26-24, then dropped the second set to host Independence Middle School Thursday. Iola beat Independence 26-24, 14-25, 15-9.
Toni Macha continued to lead the Ponies at the net with seven kills and served four aces. Alexis Heslop put down two kills, served three aces and put up four set assists.
Riley Murry delivered four kills. Sydney Wade had four set assists and two kills.
Iola’s eighth-grade B-team played its final match of the season and lost 25-19, 25-13 to Independence.
Carlin said Rylee Knavel had a great passing match and worked well at the net for the Ponies. Knavel had three kills and one service ace. Della Lohman had one ace serve and two kills.
Murry, Brook Storrer, Taylor Storrer, Kayla Underwood and Bailey Hubbs each had one kill. Stout and Murry each had an ace serve.
The eighth-grade A-team plays in a tournament at Chanute Monday.
Iola’s seventh-grade volleyball girls lost to Independence. It was the final road trip for the seventh-grade Ponies.
The A-team lost in three sets and the B-team dropped a decision to Independence in two sets. Match scores and statistics were not available.
“The girls played well in both matches. We finish our season at home (Saturday) in a round-robin tournament,” said Stacy Sprague, IMS seventh-grade coach.
The IMS seventh-grade hosts the IMS Net Games today starting at 9 a.m.
