April 30, 2024

Raiderettes knock off Wolverines in three

By KALEB CARTER
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Mount Ayr sophomore Keirston Klommhaus (4) goes up to attack the ball as Nodaway Valley senior Riley Lonsdale (6) and Jodi Baudler (8) start to go up for a block. Mount Ayr took a three-set sweep to move to 23-1 on the season. (CNA photo)

MOUNT AYR — When Kelcie Shields and her Raiderette teammates are on the same page like they were Tuesday, it becomes hard for any team in southwest Iowa to compete.

Ultimately, Mount Ayr’s skill proved too much for the Wolverines to compete all of set three, and the Raiderettes prevailed 25-16. Shields played well throughout in blasting the ball down to the floor for numerous kills, but really stepped it up when Nodaway Valley stepped it up in set three.

“It was nice to see our girls, especially come in front of our home crowd, and have fun from the start,” Mount Ayr coach Tori Braby said.

Already up 14-6 in the first set, Nodaway Valley coach Allison Bjork called a timeout. It didn’t slow the Raiderettes down. On the serve of Tessa Shields, Mount Ayr ripped off a run and jumped out to an insurmountable 23-6 lead, leading to a 25-8 win.

Mount Ayr followed that up with a 25-8 second set win.

The third set featured a better battle between the two squads, as Nodaway Valley shot out to a 9-6 lead thanks to more intensity and better communication from the Wolverines, as well as some botched receives from Mount Ayr. The two battled it out to a 13-13 score, but that was when Kelcie Shields stepped up to help put the game away.

Blair Glendenning and Macy Larsen set Kelcie Shields up time and again. Glendenning also contributed 14 digs.

“She’s yelling at the passers to get it up there, and they all work together really well and they communicate, so that’s why everything is clicking for us right now,” Braby said.

Shields ended up with 18 kills in the match.

With just two matches before the Pride of Iowa tournament begins, Braby noted serving and blocking as key areas she wants to see her team improve in.

Her team was 65-of-72 on serves with Alyssa Johnson leading the way with a 19-of-19 serving performance.

UP NEXT — Mount Ayr (23-1), hosts Murray (7-8) Monday.

Nodaway Valley (4-13) plays host to Lenox (4-15) Tuesday.

STATISTICS

Serving (aces) — NV - Wiggins 9-10 (1), McElfish 5-6 (1), Sadie Marnin 4-6, Team: 25-32 (2); MA - Alyssa Johnson 19-19. Keirston Klommhaus 15-16, Tessa Shields 14-15, Team: 65-72.

Kills — NV - Josie Clarke 3, McElfish 3, Marnin 2 Team: 11; MA - Kelcie Shields 18. Klommahus 8, Frost 5, Team: 37.

Blocks (solo-assists) — NV - Clarke 1-0; MA - Kelcie Sheilds 2-2, Macy Larsen 3-0, Johnson 0-2, Team: 6-5.

Setting (assists) — NV - Wiggins 3, McElfish 2, Brianna Welsch 2, Team: 12; MA - Johnson 16, Larsen 16. Team: 33.

Digs — NV - Marnin 9, McElfish 7, Wiggins 4 Team: 26; MA - Blair Glendenning 14, Larsen 9, Johnson 6, Team: 42.