The Iola High School volleyball team worked out its kinks while facing one of the area’s best teams during Saturday’s jamboree.
With multiple new starters in the lineup, the scrimmage against Jayhawk-Linn seemed a trial by fire as the Mustangs took on the reigning Three Rivers League champion.
“Today went really well. We saw our players step up and make some amazing plays,” Iola coach Lauren Moots said.
“Obviously, we have some things to work on, but that’s what the jamboree is for. We can see where we’re at. Jayhawk-Linn is a great team.”
The Mustangs fell in all five sets. But limitations in substitutions, scoring and the implementation of first-year officials, turned the jamboree into more of a training ground as to how each were to perform in various situations.
Junior outside hitter Zoie Hesse liked how her team played even though they were intimidated early on.
Coach Lauren Moots gives a few pointers to Lily Jerome
“At first, we were all scared when we saw them walk in,” Hesse said. “They were all so much taller and they looked older. But as soon as we got into the groove, we did just fine.”
One player thrown into the foray early on was IHS freshman libero Kashyn Curry.
Curry held her own while positioned as the Mustangs’ first line of defense, deflecting more than a few hard serves that resulted in points for Iola.
“At first, I was nervous but once I got into the groove of it I felt like everything was coming together,” Curry said. “It was really good. With the girls we have on this team, we push each other, and it helps a lot.”
Moots, in her first year as head coach, said she was pleased with her team’s performance and that their mistakes were easily correctable. She attributed the bulk of any shortcomings to the team’s seeing live varsity competition for the first time. She hopes to have a majority of the miscues remedied when the Mustangs return to the hardwood Saturday, Sept. 4, for a tournament in Rossville.
“Jayhawk-Linn has a lot of veterans as well,” Moots said. “Once we get things cleaned up on our side of the court, we’re going to be good to go for the season. 
Kinsey Jelinek, blocks a shot
“For their first time out and really being in a rotation, knowing where they are supposed to go and working through some new play calls, they did fantastic. We’re going to work on some stuff, but if this is our baseline then it’s really exciting to see.”
