BURLINGTON — Iola High and Humboldt High girls didn’t waste any time to hit high gear with some high-flying volleyball action Saturday.
Iola’s Mustangs went 3-2, while the Lady Cubs went 2-3 at the Burlington Invitational to kick off the 2023 season.
Iola’s victories included a straight wet win over Waverley (25-19 and 25-18), and a pair of wins against Wellsville (25-19 and 25-18 in the first matchup and a thrilling 25-23, 23-25 and 25-17 decision in the second).
The Mustangs came up short in 25-12 and 25-14 defeats to Baldwin and 25-21 and 25-19 to Humboldt.
Iola had several standouts.
Reese Curry pounded home 35 kills, followed by Jackie Fager with 20, Rio Lohman with 17 and Alana Mader with 15.
Curry also served up nine aces for the Mustangs, who served at an 85% success rate on the day.
Lohman and Mader were both strong at the net, racking up 13 and 11 blocks, respectively.
Elza Clift led the defense with 54 digs. Mariah Jelinek followed with 30, Fager with 28 and Curry with 21.
Kaysin Crusinbery was the primary ball handler, setting up 84 assists.
THE LADY CUBS defeated Wellsville in three sets, 23-25, 25-15 and 25-18, before its straight-set win over Iola.
Humboldt was not as fortunate in its other matches, falling 25-21 and 25-19 to Prairie View, 25-16 and 25-12 to Rossville and 25-14 and 25-14 to Baldwin.
“We had moments that were really good and some not so good,” Humboldt head coach Terry Meadows said. “We played good defense most of the day. We just need to find ways to attack more on offense.”
Shelby Shaughnessy and Ricklyn Hillmon provided much of Humboldt’s firepower, smacking home 38 and 24 kills, respectively. Shaughnessy and Chanlynn Wrestler each served up five aces. Kenisyn Hottenstein had 76 assists, while Skylar Hottenstein had 60 digs, followed by Shaughnessy with 43, Kinley Tucker with 33, Cassidy Friend with 25 and Kenisyn Hottenstein with 17.
THE MUSTANGS have a two-week break before their next matches, a home tournament on Saturday, Sept. 9.
