BURLINGTON After losing both Pioneer League matches on Tuesday, the Iola Fillies volleyball team rebounded Saturday in Burlington.
Iola finished fourth in the Burlington tournament, ending the day with a 2-3 record.
The Fillies started the tournament against Fredonia, winning in two sets by scores of 25-13 and 27-25. Becca Sprague returned from her ankle injury on Tuesday, and performed to her high standard on Saturday. Sprague led the attack with nine kills, and Lauryn Holloway followed with eight. Chloe Sell provided seven assists, and freshman Aysha Houk provided some crucial serves, going 5/5.
Iolas success stalled in their second pool-play match against Waverly, losing in two sets (25-13, and 25-6). Sprague once again led with five kills and nine digs. The Fillies rebounded in their final match of pool play versus St. Paul. The Fillies held an early lead in the first set, but were unable to hold on, putting them in an early hole. Iola was able to rebound in the next two sets, winning by scores of 25-21 and 25-23, meaning Iola advanced to bracket play. Sprague accumulated 15 kills, and Holloway complimented her efforts with 11. Chloe Sell was the one setting up the Fillie hitters, picking up 16 assists.
We came out of pool play in the top bracket, head coach Amanda Strickler said. But I felt we thought that was good enough, and I don’t want them to think that. I want them to reach that next level, and say what can we do now.
The Fillies were unable to find their groove in bracket play, losing in two sets to Lebo and Burlington. It wasnt that Iola was being overpowered, but they were shooting themselves in the foot by putting the ball in the net too often. The loss against Burlington for third place, was a frustrating match for Strickler, considering Iola had played them in a tightly contested match on Tuesday.
Self accountability is going to be the focus on Monday, Strickler said. You have complete control over this, so you control your own rewards or punishment for Mondays practice. Tuesdays Burlington game was a completely different team than what played today. So consistency is my bug thing right now, Strickler said.
Although Iola didnt come out on top, advancing out of pool play and earning a medal is a move in the right direction.
We are gaining and making strides, Strickler said. We reached a goal but I just dont want them to be satisfied with that.
Humboldt
The Lady Cubs finished in fifth place. In pool play, the Lady Cubs earned a huge win over Burlington, but lost to Lebo and Southern Coffey County. Humboldt advanced to the consolation bracket, and won matches against Fredonia and St. Paul. Leading the attack for Humboldt was Jessica Myers with 34 kills, and Jada Dangerfield with 25. Setting up her teammates was Alayna Johnson, chipping in 55 assists. Emma Johnson controlled the back line with a team high 40 digs.
We were not consistent at all today. We played the best we have all season against Burlington, but then played flat against everyone else, head coach Terry Meadows said. We made too many unforced errors to finish out some of our matches. However we did battle in more matches and found some ways to win in the end.
