Lack of court talk hurts Iola

COLUMBUS — Communication on the court is essential in volleyball.
“We didn’t communicate well on the court in either match. In order for us to be a competitive team, the girls need to want to communicate on the floor, encouraging one another and being aggressive at all times,” said Jodi Grover, Iola High volleyball head coach.
The Fillies dropped to 0-4 in Southeast Kansas League play Thursday. They lost 25-13, 25-13 to Parsons and host Columbus beat Iola 25-21, 20-25, 25-22.
“The silence on the floor and communication errors with dropped balls are not what you see successful varsity teams do. The talent is there, the knowledge is there, putting the confidence in the girls to be aggressive and not let up is the challenge.”
Grover said the Fillies  were never in the Parsons’ match. She said the girls played flat and didn’t hit the ball hard.
“When we did (hit hard), we hit right into the blocks and our coverage wasn’t there,” Grover said.
Against Columbus, Iola was up 14-10 in the first set but couldn’t keep the lead. Grover said the Fillies had a few missed serves throwing them behind and they couldn’t catch up.
“We played more in sync in the second set,” she said.
Riana Dolenz served the first seven points of the second set for Iola. Grover said the Fillies were able to get hits off and their passing was much better overall.
During the third set, Columbus got the lead and was up 23-17. Kendra Taiclet served four straight to make it 23-21 but Iola lost the rally giving the Lady Titans a 24-21 lead.
The Fillies fended off match point when Emery Driskel had a kill to get the serve back. Unfortunately, Iola missed on its serve allowing Columbus to win.
Taiclet delivered eight kills and seven solo blocks at the net for the Fillies. Dolenz had five kills and made four solo blocks.
Celeste Ambrose had four kills and a solo block and Driskel put down three kills. Libby Shay had two kills. Katie Thompson had one.
Kyra Moore was credited with 10 set assists and Shay had five assists.
Keli Lee came up with seven digs and Taiclet had five. Shay made four digs. Driskel and Moore each had two.
“We’ve been concentrating on our passing. Executing at the net is still difficult without consistent sets but I see improvement,” Grover said. “We’re working to be better by the time substate rolls around.”
The Fillies (6-16) travel south again next Thursday to Altamont. Iola takes on Coffeyville and host Labette County in SEK play.
Iola’s junior varsity racked up two match wins Thursday. Iola beat Parsons 25-23, 25-21 and downed Columbus 25-17, 25-11.
On the night, Breanna Stout delivered six kills and Alyssa Zimmerman had five and one ace serve. Hannah Endicott downed four kills and had one solo block plus had four ace serves and two digs.
Mackenzie Weseloh had 20 set assists along with five service aces, four digs and two kills. Emma Sigg had three kills, four ace serves and two digs. Chanel Coyne had three kills and two ace serves.
Karlie Lower served three aces and had one kill. Halie Cleaver had three digs. Allie Cleaver and Paige Miller each had one kill.