IHS sends off seniors with doubleheader split

October 23, 2013 - 12:00 AM

A doubleheader split Tuesday evening with visiting Anderson County has Iola High head coach Emily Sigg confident about the Fillies’ chances to advance past the upcoming Class 4A Substate Tournament.
While substate seedings have not yet been announced, it’s a virtual certainty Iola (14-20) will face Anderson County Saturday afternoon in a semifinal match. The winner will play either Burlington or Parsons.
“I’m excited about this,” Sigg said. “We’ve talked all year about peaking at the end. Saturday is what we’ve been working toward the entire season.”
Because of Class 4A’s split into two divisions this year for volleyball, the Fillies will need to win only twice on Saturday — it’s a single-elimination tournament — to advance to the Class 4A, Division II state tournament the following weekend in Salina.
In order to advance, Iola will need to replicate its performance in the opening match against Anderson County, a contest littered with extended rallies, error-free offense and defense and composure.
Anderson County took the opening game in the first match, and even took a quick 3-0 lead in game 2 before Iola hit its stride.
Kyra Moore served for four straight points to give Iola the advantage. Meanwhile, Emery Driskel, Addie Haar and Mikaela Platt each had three kills as the Fillies knotted the proceedings with a 25-20 win.
That set up one of the most exciting sets of the season, a back-and-forth affair that saw neither team lead by more than three.
Iola trailed 23-22 before Moore’s tip kill knotted the score. The next point saw Anderson County’s tip over the net fall out of bounds.
Ashlie Shields was there for the block at match point to seal the 25-23 victory.
Alas, Iola could not hold the momentum, following a ceremony to celebrate the careers of Iola’s six seniors, Allie Cleaver, Halie Cleaver, Hannah Endicott, Karlie Lower, Paige Miller and Emma Sigg.
Anderson County zipped to a quick 5-0 lead to open the second match and never looked back in a 25-13 win.
Anderson County then forged to a 15-12 lead in the second game before ending the proceedings with a 10-1 run.
“I’m not happy to see us lose, but I’d much rather see us lose this second game than to lose to them Saturday,” Coach Sigg said. “It’s always hard to beat a team two times in one night, especially when you’re as evenly matched as we are.”

DRISKEL led the way with a sterling effort in the opener, delivering 10 kills in 17 attempts, a .529 attack percentage. Moore had 14 assists to Piazza’s 13. Haar followed with eight kills, while Emma Piazza had a pair of aces. Driskel also had four digs and two blocks. Shields also had a pair of solo blocks.
Driskel’s six kills also were a team high in the second match. Moore and Piazza both had seven assists.

THE FILLIES’ junior varsity swept past Anderson County in a pair of matches, winning the first, 25-18, 25-15, and the second 25-10, 25-13.
Katie Shields led the JV with a combined five kills, followed by Shelby Smith with four. McKayli Cleaver added seven assists and 26 digs.
Iola’s ninth-graders also prevailed, 25-21, 25-15.
Game 1
Iola def. Anderson Co. 2-1
(20-25, 25-20, 25-23)
Addie Haar, 8 kills
Ashlie Shields, 3 kills, 2 solo blocks
Kyra Moore, 2 kills, 14 assists, 1 ace, 1 solo block
Allie Cleaver, 1 ace, 3 digs
Emma Piazza, 1 kill, 13 assists, 2 aces
Emery Driskel, 10 kills, 4 digs, 2 solo blocks
Hannah Endicott, 1 ace
Mikaela Platt, 3 kills
Game 2
Anderson Co. def. Iola, 2-0
(25-13, 25-13)
Moore, 1 kill, 7 assists, 1 dig
Piazza, 2 kills, 3 assists, 1 dig
Driskel, 6 kills, 1 dig, 1 solo block
Endicott, 1 kill
Shields, 3 kills
Cleaver, 2 digs
Miller, 1 kill
Junior Varsity
Iola def. Anderson Co. 2-0
(25-18, 25-15)
McKayli Cleaver, 4 assists, 2 aces, 12 digs
Shelby Smith 1 kill, 1 ace, 3 digs
Taylor Sell, 3 aces, 9 digs, 1 blocked shot
Katie Shields, 3 kills, 5 aces, 10 digs, 3 blocked shots
Cassie Delich, 1 kill, 7 digs
Taylor Heslop, 1 assist, 3 aces, 1 dig
Joie Whitney, 6 digs
Iola def. Anderson Co., 2-0
(25-10, 25-13)
M. Cleaver, 3 assists, 1 ace, 14 digs
Whitney, 3 digs
Sell, 1 kill, 2 aces, 7 digs
Heslop, 1 assist, 1 ace, 4 digs
Shields, 2 kills, 6 digs
Delich, 1 kill, 11 digs
Smith, 3 kills, 1 ace, 6 digs, 1 blocked shot