MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa — Allen Community College’s trip to Iowa over the weekend was best described as a learning experience, head coach Jessica Peters said.
The Red Devils went 1-3 in the Marshalltown tournament.
“The Red Devils gained experience playing a ranked team, we gained experience with a three-set win, we experienced a very intense and emotional five-set loss,” Peters said.
On Friday, Allen lost to 13th-ranked Des Moines Area Community College, 25-16, 25-17, 28-26 before rebounding to topple North Iowa Area Community College, 25-22, 26-24, 25-15.
Saturday’s outcomes were a bit more gut-wrenching.
Allen dropped a heart-stopping five-set decision to Marshalltown Community College, 22-25, 26-28, 25-21, 28-26, 15-11, then ended the tournament with a straight set loss to Graceland junior varsity, 25-23, 25-22, 25-20.
“The exposure was great for us,” Peters said. “We saw individuals step up at different moments. We took this journey with a purpose in mind, and returned with additional work cut out for us.”
Sidney Keith led the way for Allen with 42 kills, followed by Danielle Goodman with 29, Sarah Webb and Lizzy Huey with 19 apiece and Kelsey Kasson with 12.
Adriee Munoz racked up 78 assists. Ashlyn Myers had 32.
Sarah Charbonneau dished out five service aces. Halley Scott, Keith and Munoz had three apiece.
Huey also had seven blocks, followed by Webb with five.
“Sarah Charbonneau and Lizzy Huey gave everything they had each match this weekend,” Peters said.
The Red Devils suffered a few nicks and bumps along the way.
Huey and Munoz collided on the court at one point, leaving Munoz with a concussion scare. Scott also experienced concussion-like symptoms.
Goodman injured her ankle against Northern Iowa but played the rest of the weekend.
The Red Devils are at home tonight against Northeastern Oklahoma and against Hesston Wednesday. The ACC Red Devil Invitational is Friday and Saturday at Riverside Park.
“We show our potential in bits and pieces, but I truly feel by the end of our season all of it will be present,” Charbonneau said. “We went in not knowing what to expect, adjusting to what we could, but we didn’t claim all the wins we wanted to.”
Red Devils drop three of four in Iowa
