OSAWATOMIE Iola High volleyball team played a doubleheader against Anderson County and Prairie View in Osawatomie Tuesday. After a loss against Anderson County, the Fillies rebounded for their first Pioneer League win of the season.
The win is a huge monkey off the back for the Fillies.
It feels good even though it was ugly, head coach Amanda Strickler said.
Against Anderson County, Strickler said the Fillies came out flat. Iola dropped the first set by a score of 21-9, but battled in the second set, despite losing 21-25. Becca Sprague led Iola with six kills and six assists. Lauryn Holloway added five kills, and Ally Ellis chipped in eight digs. The big surprise for the Fillies was the play of Elysia Kunkler, who was a presence at the net with five blocks.
I want to give Elysia a lot of credit, Strickler said. I puller her off of JV, and her only job was to block, and she got five in the second game. She was the difference maker for us in that game.
In their next match versus Prairie View, the Fillies won two close sets by scores of 25-22 and 25-23, earning their first league win of the season. Sprague controlled the Iola offense with four kills and four assists. Hannah Gardner and Jenna Curry were perfect on serves, combining for 14/14.
Survived would be the best word for the game against Prairie View, Strickler said. I told the girls we are climbing this ladder and cant keep going down and try coming back up. We have to climb the ladder and stay at the top.
The Fillies are working on their consistency, by going through drills that focus on personal accountability. Iola is also battling injury, so Strickler is focusing on her squad reaching full health.
Iola will be back in action on Thursday in Fredonia, taking on the hosts and Fredonia.
