INDEPENDENCE — It took a while for Iola Middle School’s eighth-grade volleyball team to find its footing Thursday. THE COFFEYVILLE game was an entirely different story. THE seventh-graders were hampered by a 60 percent service percentage in their opener against Independence, said head coach Stacy Sprague. “This combined with first-night nerves and fundamental passing errors left us short.”
But when they did, the Ponies were downright unstoppable.
Iola dropped its first match against Independence, 25-14, 25-13, before responding in a big way, thumping Coffeyville, 25-9, 25-11, in the team’s season opener.
Iola’s seventh-graders followed a similar pattern, dropping a 25-20, 25-15 decision to their hosts from Independence before defeating Coffeyville, 25-10, 25-12.
“First-game jitters got the best of us,” eighth-grade head coach Terri Carlin said. “We didn’t really play that bad. We just had too many little mistakes overall. We were a little flat and didn’t serve or hit tough enough.”
Scout Rush had two aces and two kills, while Madison Carlin had four assists. Emma Weseloh added three assists and an ace, while Katie Bauer and Colbi Riley added three and two kills, respectively.
“The girls came out ready to play in this match,” Carlin said. “We were doing everything better and stronger. There was more communication and enthusiasm.”
Bauer delivered 15 straight service points during one stretch, to go with two aces and two kills. Rush had seven ace serves, two kills and an assist. Madison Carlin had five ace serves and four assists. Riley had four kills, an ace and a block. Weseloh had four assists. Karly McGuffin delivered a kill. Sophie Whitney came off the bench with several nice passes, Carlin said. “She also made all of her serves.”
Still, the Ponies showed reason for hope. Piper Moore was successful on 92 percent of her serves, while Mia Aronson was good at a 75 percent clip. Jayden Jackson was good on 63 percent of her serves. Aronson and Moore each had an ace.
Sprague praised Aronson, Jackson and Moore.
“I’m extremely proud of how these players stepped up and led the team,” she said.
Iola delivered 12 aces in its win over Coffeyville, led by Moore with five, Jackson with four and Kayla Simmons, Kendra Sprague and Aronson with one each.
“The girls worked together and moved better on the floor,” Sprague said. “The girls served much better and we made some adjustments to the lineup by having Macie (Martin) and Kayla come off the bench to serve.”
Iola hosts Royster Middle School of Chanute Tuesday.
IMS volleyball squads split
