In front of a raucous Homecoming crowd decked out in pink, the Okoboji volleyball team recovered from a first set loss against Sibley-Ocheyedan to reel off three-straight set victories and defeat the Generals for the Pioneers’ first conference match win of the season. S-O controlled early with a 25-17 first set win behind six game-one kills from Bridget Doeden, but the Pioneers rallied to win the next three sets, 25-23, 25-19, and 25-12. Sophomore Darby Jones tallied nine kills, junior Skylar Hanson finished with eight kills and Mikkinzie Peschong notched five more. Okoboji also tallied thirteen service aces, led by Abby Taylor’s five, while Kiley Wermersen dished out 16 assists. Peschong and Faith Bartlett both registered better than 20 digs. Doeden ended the night with a game-high nine kills, while Kayla Ackerman and Alyssa Hibbing each had eight kills. The Generals remain winless in Siouxland Conference play at 0-8 and are now 4-23 overall. Okoboji is now 13-13 on the season and 1-6 in league play with two conference matches remaining next week.
In other Siouxland Conference matches, Sioux Center toughed out a three-set win at MOC-Floyd Valley, 25-22, 25-19, and 28-26. Fourth-ranked Boyden-Hull had little trouble with George-Little Rock, 25-12, 25-16, and 25-6. Sheldon wasted little time taking a three-set match from Central Lyon, 25-16, 26-24, and 25-13.
Spirit Lake made it back-to-back conference match wins this week with a three-game sweep at Storm Lake, defeating the Tornadoes, 25-16, 25-22, and 25-18. Kendra Stokke hammered home a dozen kills, while also picking up 20 digs. Whitney Berkland amassed 22 assists and three service aces. Bailey Loveall had four aces and three blocks. The Indians are 4-2 in Lakes play and improve to 15-6 overall. They host Spencer on Tuesday, a match that will air on KUOO.
Also in the Lakes Conference, Estherville-Lincoln Central was unable to gain any set victories an a three-game sweep at the hands of LeMars, 25-12, 25-15, and 25-11.
Harris-Lake Park returned to their winning ways, taking a home Cornbelt Conference match with Corwith-Wesley-Luverne, 25-18, 25-13, and 25-13. Noreen Morrow racked up eleven kills and two blocks. Leah Duitsman finished with eight kills, four services aces and two blocks. Macy Gunderson set the offense with 16 assists, a rare five kills and a team-high six aces. The Wolves are 4-2 in league play and 13-14 overall. They host their six-team tournament on Saturday.
One other Cornbelt match last night saw North Sentral Kossuth/Armstrong-Ringsted sweep Graettinger-Terril in three sets, 25-15, 25-15, and 25-16.
Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn dropped a four-set match in War Eagle Conference play, falling at Akron-Westfield, 22-25, 25-15, 25-18, and 25-20.
North of the border, Martin County West lost in four sets at LeCenter, 25-19, 15-25, 25-15, and 25-22. Fairmont picked up an easy win at Waseca, 25-15, 25-8, and 25-14, while Round Lake Brewster failed to defend their home court, falling in three sets to Red Rock Central, 25-13, 25-10, and 25-4.
