Creston builds from Kuemper loss

CARROLL – The Panther volleyball team knew they were going to get all they could handle in Kuemper Catholic, the No. 1 team in Class 3A Tuesday night.

The Knights swept Creston in straight sets 25-12, 25-17, 25-14, but there was plenty that the Panther head coaches took away from the loss and moral victories to be had.

“They’re No. 1 for a reason. They’re tall. They’re athletic. They’re good,” said Creston co-head coach Mallory Peterson. “We knew they were going to have two big hitters and we had to know where they were at all night.”

The Panthers hung in with Kuemper Catholic through the early parts of the second and third sets before the Knights showed their talent.

With a tall, heavy-hitting lineup of upperclassmen Kuemper Catholic put away 39 kills in the sweep.

“We were doing some good things,” said Peterson. “I told the girls during a timeout ‘we’re not playing bad. No real adjustments. We just have find a way to put the ball to the floor and side out.’”

Despite a lingering shoulder injury, Kelsey Fields’ play drew the attention of the Kuemper Catholic coach, Kieth Stickrod, as she pounded home 11 kills on 36 attacking attempts.

Megan Haley and MaKenna Hudson scooped up double-digit digs with 12 and 10, respectively.

Peterson noted that the Panthers stuck with their blocks and were reading balls for digs well.

A number of younger players got to see the floor against the Knights as Kaci Abildtrup got a start under her belt and played in all three sets for the Panthers. Ryli Abildtrup also got in for a set and went 2-3 serving.

Rylie Driskell was 6-6 serving with a dig and an assist and Peyton Rice contributed a dig and placed her only serve.

“That can be intimidating for those (younger) girls to take on a match like this ... I think they enjoyed it and it was good for everyone,” said Peterson. “We definitely came away form this match having learn some things about ourselves as a team.”

UP NEXT – Creston (7-10, 1-3) gets a week off to rest and heal before a triangular at home against Lewis Central and Atlantic.

JV swept

Creston JV saw a similar fate as the varsity squad, falling in straight sets to the Knights 25-14, 25-15.

Ryli Abildtrup and Rylie Driskell each had two aces apiece for the Panthers.

Kaci Abiltrup led the JV team with two kills while Ryli Abiltrup and Brianna Fields each had a kill.

Maddie Frey ended the night with a team-high 11 digs while Halle Evans and Ryli Abiltrup had four each.

“We had some younger ladies playing tonight in different spots in our line up. I am proud of the way the stepped in and played,” said co-head coach Naomi Sharp. “We struggled with serve receive and defense at times. Kuemper is by far the toughest JV we have faced this year. I was proud of how the girls stayed determined and never gave up.”

Freshmen results

The Creston freshman team fell to the Knights 25-2, 25-9, 26-24 Tuesday.

“Good Kuemper team played with a new rotation due to some illness,” said freshmen coach Mike McCabe. “Struggled with serve receive once again. (We) do have some that are showing improvement in that area.”

Kuemper Catholic 3, Creston 0

Serving (aces) — Crest: Taylor Buxton 11-11 (2), Megan Haley 7-7, Bree Ross 7-7, MaKenna Hudson 6-7, Rylie Driskell 6-6, Ryli Abildtrup 2-3, Brianna Fields 1-3, Peyton Rice 1-1.

Attacks (kills) — Crest: Kelsey Fields 27-36 (11), Haley 13-15 (3), Buxton 8-9 (1), Emma Hanson 6-7 (2), B. Fields 5-8 (2), Kaci Abildtrup 3-3.

Blocks (solo, assists) — Crest: Haley (0,1), Hanson (0,1).

Setting (assists) — Crest: Ross 13, Driskell 1.

Digs — Crest: Haley 12, Hudson 10, Buxton 7, B. Fields 2, K. Fields 2, Driskell 1, Rice 1, Ross 1.