Local volleyball squad makes mark

Area volleyball players have teamed up to make their mark throughout the Midwest.
The Iola Aces, a traveling squad of players 16-and-under competed in a pair of large-scale tournaments recently.
The Aces traveled to Bartle Hall in Kansas City, Mo., April 13-15 for a national qualifier, featuring squads from across the country. Iola went 11-13 in the qualifier, taking third in its bracket.
Among the teams Iola defeated were traveling squads from Florida, Nebraska and Colorado, noted Lori Moore, who coaches the Aces along with her husband, Kris.
The record allowed Iola to increase its regional rankings by 14 spots, from 89th to 75th, Moore said.
The fun hit high gear April 27 and 28 when the Aces took second place at the Heart of America Regionals in Topeka.
Iola went 6-1 in the tournament.
With an overall record of 53-20, Iola is ranked ninth out of 98 teams in the country.
The Aces feature players primarily from Iola with others coming from Humboldt, Chanute and Burlington.
“The tournaments really help the girls improve their game,” Moore said. “The girls faced some pretty stiff competition.”