LA CYGNE — The Iola High volleyball won their matches at Prairie View Tuesday.
The Mustangs (16-9; 5-3 Pioneer League) knocked down Burlington with ease in two sets before taking down Prairie View in three sets. Iola has gone 10-3 in the past two weeks since their second-place finish at the Burlington tournament in mid-September.
“I knew once this team got a couple wins everything was going to click,” Iola head coach Amanda Holman said. “Right now we’re starting to show that with all the experience we’re only getting better. This year we’re making our big run.”
Iola defeated Burlington in two sets, 25-14 and 25-14.
Alana Mader led the Mustangs offensively with a team-high eight kills while Curry had a team-high three aces. Defensively, Mader recorded a team-high six blocks while Elza Clift had a team-high 10 digs.
“We started off strong and pretty much dominated the first game,” Holman said. “We’re learning how to win now. It’s the best season we’ve had in a while. Taking care of those close games has been key and the Prairie View win was a big one.”
The Mustangs took down Prairie View in three sets, 25-15, 16-25 and 25-23.
Mader led Iola again offensively with a team-high 15 kills while Mariah Jelinkek and Mader each had a team-high three aces. Defensively, Mader recorded a team-high seven blocks while Reese Curry registered a team-high 23 digs. Clift also added 21 digs.
The Mustang wins since their second-place finish at the Burlington tournament have been against Prairie View, Eureka, Santa Fe Trail, Fredonia, Southern Coffey County, McLouth, Osawatomie, Wellsville and Burlington twice.
“It’s great to be playing your best ball toward the end of the season. A lot of things are going well right now and we’re finding our groove,” said Holman. “The girls have good chemistry and they’re translating that to the court. They now know each other’s strengths.”
So far this season, Curry has led Iola with a team-high 3.2 kills per set while Clift has recorded a team-high 6.9 digs per set. Crusinbery has averaged 5.6 assists per set.
“She’s (Crusinbery) really found her groove this year. She was thrown into being a varsity setter her freshman year and now has really taken on that role.”
Iola has a home meet next Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.
