A highly-competitive volleyball match in the Siouxland Conference came down to a decisive fifth set Monday at Okoboji High School, however, the Pioneers would falter down the stretch in a three-games-to-two setback against Rock Valley. Okoboji took game one, 25-20, before the Rockets battled their way to wins in sets two and three, 25-23 and 25-22. Game four was a lopsided 25-13 decision in favor of the Pioneers to force the fifth set, which ended 15-10 with Rock Valley on top. Sophomore Darby Jones was tops for the Pioneers with 15 kills and eight blocks. Kiley Wermersen served up seven aces, including five in game four alone. Sydney Boeckholt dished out 33 set assists and Mikkinzie Peschong tallied 26 digs. The Rockets were paced by senior Josie Godfredson, who smashed a game-high 18 kills in the match. Rock Valley is now 2-2 in league play, while Okoboji falls to 0-4 in conference and 12-11 overall. They travel to Boyden-Hull on Thursday.
Click here for the postgame interview with coach Abby Goodlaxson.
Spirit Lake traveled north of the border Monday to take on Worthington in a non-conference volleyball matchup and returned losers of a close, four-set match, 25-23, 17-25, 25-22, and 25-22. Against a tough Trojans block, the Indians struggled to finish off a number of attacks. Kendra Stokke and Bailey Loveall both registered ten kills, with Whitney Berkland collecting 25 set assists. Paige Krause and Amanda Bueltel each had 23 digs. The setback drops Spirit Lake’s overall record to 13-5, with a conference game at LeMars scheduled for Tuesday night.
In other non-conference volleyball action, Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn needed all five sets to earn a tough win against Clay Central-Everly. The Mavericks took the first two sets, 25-11 and 25-21, but the Hawks responded taking three straight, including the decisive fifth set, 25-20, 25-21, and 15-12.
One other match north of the border saw Jackson County Central defeat Fairmont in a three-set sweep, 25-16, 25-16, and 25-14.
