Terri Carlin couldn’t believe her eyes.
After playing sterling, fundamentally sound volleyball for most the 2013 season, Iola Middle School’s eighth-graders found themselves making some errors — mental and physical — at the start of their home match against Independence.
“We were not communicating and made some bad choices,” said Carlin, the eighth-grade head coach. “We were letting balls drop to the floor. I’ve never seen us do that before.”
The Ponies shook off the cobwebs, resettled themselves and took control from there.
Iola’s A-team came away with a 19-25, 25-12, 15-9 victory over Independence.
“The good part was I knew we were capable of stepping it up and taking care of things in the second set. We played much better and got the easy win.”
Quick starts in the second and third sets paved the way. Iola led 13-3 to start the tie-breaker.
“They made a little run on us, but it wasn’t enough,” Carlin said. “I was proud of the girls for coming back and playing strong. Karly McGuffin really stepped up tonight. She was a great leader on the court. Her confidence was high, and she took advantage. She had a strong all-around game, hitting, serving and passing.”
McGuffin had five kills and three aces serves. Colbi Riley dished out four aces, delivered two kills, and had eight serves in a row to lead the way in the third set.
Scout Rush added three aces and two kills, Katie Bauer had three aces and a kill, Emma Weseloh had an ace and a kill and Madison Carlin had nine assists and a kill.
The B-team was not as successful, falling 25-19, 25-12.
Macayla Bycroft had an assist and a kill. Sophie Whitney had a kill. Carly Cescon had an assist.
“The one thing Coach (Debby) Russell and I enjoy about the B-team is that they are always positive,” Carlin said. “They cheer for the good things and are able to shake off the mistakes. The first game was close at the beginning.”
Independence went on an 8-0 run to take control after the teams were tied 14-14.
THE IOLA seventh-graders stayed close, but could not get over the proverbial hump.
Iola’s A-team dropped a 25-20, 25-23 game. Piper Moore and Madisyn Holloway both had 100-percent serving days, while Mia Aronson and Kendra Sprague served at 80 and 77 percent, respectively. Jaden Channel served at a 75-percent clip. Shaylee Sutterby at 60 percent.
“We have improved a lot since we first played Independence, but we really wanted to win this going into our last weekend of play,” seventh-grade coach Stacy Sprague said.
The seventh-grade B-team fell 23-25, 25-22, 15-10.
“The girls played really well,” Sprague said. “Coach (Chelsea Gumfory) and I are so proud of how far the girls have come in our short season. Each of them improved in serving and passing. We are just getting some of it figured out, and the season is over.”
Sadie Maple and Kassy Shelby both were successful on 7 of 8 service attempts for Iola.
The seventh-graders return to action today during the IMS Net Games competition, beginning at 8:30 a.m.
