ATLANTIC — Creston’s volleyball team has shown it can compete physically with teams.
Doing it mentally is a challenge coach Polly Luther is working on her team with.
The Panthers showed flashes of their abilities in Tuesday’s Hawkeye 10 Conference triangular against Lewis Central and Atlantic.
Creston fell in three straight to Lewis Central, but rallied in the nightcap to defeat Atlantic in three straight.
“The physical game is there,” Luther said. “Mentally they have to expect that out of themselves. They have to believe they can do it.
“We struggle with that. That’s the hardest part to coach.”
The Panthers played with plenty of confidence against Atlantic in earning a 25-16, 25-15, 25-22 victory.
“We thought we could beat Atlantic,” Luther said. “We came out there and played much better.”
Creston was sharp all the way around.
“Our passes were better. Our serves were better. Our hits were much better,” Luther said. “We got touches on blocks. We were communicating. It was the whole package.”
Creston’s offense delivered regularly against Atlantic. Cayla Maitlen pounded home 14 kills. Megan Haley had 13 kills, while Hannah Hood added six kills.
“Megan Haley and Cayla Maitlen were hitting the snot out of the ball,” Luther said. “They were our go-to girls in that match.”
Ten Panthers had at least one kill.
Jaxie Luther had 34 assists, and was 9-of-9 serving with one ace.
Haley was 12-of-12 serving with two aces.
Makenna Hudson had seven digs, while Haley added six digs.
Breanna Wallace was pulled in the third set of the match against Lewis Central and did not play against Atlantic with an injury.
Freshman Emma Hanson filled in, and played well, coach Luther noted.
“She did a pretty good job,” coach Luther said. “After that first game against Lewis Central, she got comfortable with the position. The kids really talked to her, led her in the right direction.”
Hood helped out in slowing the Atlantic hitters down.
“Hannah Hood started getting her hands on some blocks,” coach Luther said. “Even though Atlantic wasn’t super powerful, she was getting them popped up and where we need them to be. That’s important.”
The match against Lewis Central was one the Titans controlled throughout.
While Lewis Central won 25-13, 25-17, 25-15, coach Luther said the score was not that close.
“W played poorly,” coach Luther said. “The scores don’t reflect how bad the game was. I looked at the scores, and that’s not near as bad as how it was.”
The Panthers could never find their groove against the Titans.
“We didn’t even come out of the gate,” coach Luther said. “Our passes were poor. We couldn’t hit the ball. We couldn’t block the ball.”
Maitlen and Wallace each had seven kills. Haley had six kills and Buxton five kills. Jaxie Luther had 25 assists and was 10-for-10 serving. Wallace was 10-for-10 serving with three aces. Haley had five digs.
UP NEXT — Creston (6-8, 2-4) is at home Tuesday against Shenandoah and Thursday at Glenwood.