Iola hosted its annual volleyball invitational over the weekend and came just short of three wins, falling to 2-2 in their four matches throughout the day.
The Fillies secured wins over Parsons and Prairie View and fell to Anderson and Labette County.
I feel like weve gained a lot of ground since our first tournament two weeks ago, head coach Amanda Strickler said. Were learning new things and our level of play has improved. Were competing and thats all I ask.
Iola started things off with a gut-wrenching, three-set loss to Anderson County 29-27, 21-25 and 23-25.
Senior Ellie Carson had a 45 percent kill average in the match while junior Sadrie Overall was a perfect 8-8 on serves.
Sophomore Becca Sprague had 11 assists and sophomore Hannah Gardner had seven digs. Senior Piper Moore led the offensive attack with 12 kills.
Labette County proved to be much more of a challenge as the larger, stronger Lady Grizzlies powered through the Fillies in two sets, 25-14 and 25-14.
Sophomore Lauryn Holloway had two blocks and two kills and Becca Sprague had seven assists. Piper Moore killed five balls.
After a rest for several matches, the Fillies returned to the court focused and ready and showed that with a three-set win over Parsons 28-26, 21-25 and 25-7.
It was the sophomores who stepped forward along with Moore who had a stunning 10 aces and nine kills.
Gardner, the Fillies libero, had six attacks and two kills, Sprague had a 100 percent serving clip and Holloway had three kills and two blocks.
All three sophomores have done a tremendous job, Strickler said. They will be heavily relied upon this year and Im excited to see them grow throughout the year.
Senior Shaylee Sutterby also was 100-percent from the serving line in the match.
The Fillies saved their best for last in a sweep over Prairie View, 25-12 and 25-17.
Carson had four kills on five attempts and junior Paige Burrough, Moore and Sprague each had three aces. Gardner had a passing average of 2.2.
Iola will get back on the court today as they travel to Santa Fe Trail to take on the Lady Chargers and an Anderson County team that the Fillies have some unfinished business with.
I think our girls are looking forward to a rematch with Anderson County, Strickler said. That match was ours and we let it slip away. Its weird to say but we still need to learn how to win. It doesnt just come, you have to work at it. Our goal is to make winning a habit and something that we expect to do every time we walk on the court.
Fillies go 2-2 in home invitational
