Despite a valiant effort with their backs against the wall, the Okoboji volleyball team saw their season come to an abrupt end with Tuesday night’s four-game setback to Estherville-Lincoln Central in the opening round of the Iowa Class 2A Regionals, 26-28, 25-13, 25-19, 29-27. Bryanna Wittrock paced the Pioneers with a dozen kills, 16 digs, and three blocks. Taylor Poppema had 16 assists and Shelby Nielsen recorded seven blocks, four solo. The Pioneers season closes with a 9-18 record overall. The Midgets received double-digit kills from Alyssa Johnson and Allie Sievert in the win, which propels ELC into the second round to face top-ranked Western Christian. The Wolfpack defeated Sibley-Ocheyedan in three straight sets, 25-9, 25-3, 25-8.
Emmetsburg traveled to Sioux Central for their opening round match in Class 2A, but took a four-game loss as well, 25-17, 21-25, 26-24, 25-18. The EHawks finish at 12-17 overall. The Rebels will now play Sheldon, who advanced past Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn in three sets, 25-1, 25-9, 25-14. HMS was winless at 0-23 on the year.
Other Class 2A scores from northwest Iowa include Central Lyon over Rock Valley, 20-25, 25-14, 25-11, 25-15, Sioux Center swept West Lyon, 25-21, 25-11, 25-12, Unity Christian took out Cherokee, 25-13, 25-9, 25-18, and Hinton need three games to advance past South O’Brien, 25-17, 25-10, 25-15.
North of the border, top-ranked Jackson County Central defeated Luverne in three sets, 25-11, 25-7, 25-8, Fairmont fell against New Ulm, 25-19, 25-15, 25-19, and Martin County West swept Truman, 26-24, 25-12, 25-8.
