A slow start was not enough to keep the Creston junior varsity volleyball team from defending its home court at Saturday's home tournament, as the Panthers defeated Clarke 21-18, 21-18 to finish strong.
The Panthers split two-set matches with Clarke and Nodaway Valley, and took two sets from East Union before squaring off with the Indians again in the final, where they won hard-fought victories.
“Our serving was a little off. Our passing was off. We slowly throughout the day got it together and finished strong," Creston co-coach Naomi Sharp said.
Kelsey Fields and Samantha Dunphy finished the morning's play strong at the net.
“Kelsey Fields had a great day at the net. She did a really good job," Sharp said. "She wasn’t real on at the beginning, but she was making sure she was getting them in play and using her tip until she finally got her timing down and she started swinging away the last two games.”
Sharp noted that Lexie Rounds and Abbi Hood were active and aggressive in the back row with consistency and Rylie Driskell led the setting out of Creston's 5-1 formation.
Karly Calvin also received commendation on her digging from her coach.
Monday, the Panthers fell to Atlantic to start its triangular 23-25, 25-18, 8-15 .
"The girls played well in the second set," Sharp said. "During the third set they got stuck in serve receive and were not able to get a pass up. We also missed three serves during that third match and that did not help us either."
The Panthers ended their evening with a two-set loss to Lewis Central 11-25, 17-25.
Creston's Driskell was successful on all 13 of her serves against Lewis Central.
"Could not seem to get our offense set up against Lewis Central," Sharp said. "Their tough serving made getting a side out difficult. Just never seemed to fire on all cylinders during the match.
Atlantic stats
Serve — Saige Rice 14-16 2 aces, Sam Dunphy 9-11 3 aces, Abbi Hood 9-13 5 aces.
Kills — Kelsey Fields 6, Rice 3, Dunphy 2, Rylie Driskell 2.
Assists — Driskell 8, Rice 7.
Digs — Peyton Rice 5, Karly Calvin 4.
Lewis Central stats
Serve — Driskell 13-13, Hood 3-3, Rice 3-3.
Kills — Hood 4, Fields 3.
Assists — Driskell 5, Calvin 1, Saige Rice 1.
Digs — Calvin 7, Peyton Rice 6.