Panthers drop two at home

Creston dropped two Hawkeye Ten matches at home Tuesday night, but the finale was a tighter battle than the final 3-1 outcome indicates.

After Class 4A seventh-ranked Lewis Central improved to 9-1 with a pair of sweeps over Creston and Atlantic, the Trojans and Panthers battled on even terms during most of their match in the nightcap.

Creston came out on top in a long opening set, 28-26, before Atlantic seized the advantage with a pair of wins, 25-17, 25-18.

The Panthers were hot from the start in the fourth set, taking an early eight-point lead (14-6) on one of four kills by sophomore Braylee Pokorny. Hollyn Rieck served consecutive points to keep the Panthers in front later in the set, 19-16.

But, from there the taller Atlantic duo of Paytn Harter (15 kills) and Abby Muller (five kills) spurred the Trojans to a 9-1 run to finish a 25-20 victory to seal the match.

“When we got ahead we were picking the ball up and putting it away and getting our serves in,” Creston coach Teresa Arkfeld said. “That’s when we’re playing at our best. When we play tense we tend to let it get away from us and we play defensive. We just weren’t putting the passes to target and getting the hits over. It’s like a tennis match, you have to keep getting the ball in, because sometimes it’s the first team that hits it out that loses the point.”

Paytn McLaren also had five kills for the Trojans, who improved to 5-9 overall and 1-1 in league play. One of the front line reserves for Atlantic is sophomore Jayci Reed, daughter of Creston natives Ricci Spriggs and Jason Reed. Spriggs was a Creston volleyball player for coach Eldon Gammell.

Ella Turner led Creston at the net against the Trojans with seven kills. In addition to her four kills, Pokorny also served three aces. Brynn Tussey added four kills. Mila Kuhns had a team-high 14 digs.

Setters Kadley Bailey and Rieck each served two aces. The Panthers were playing without starting senior hitter Bailee Schmitt, who was out with illness.

Lewis Central was deep in tall talent at the net and swept the Panthers by a combined score of 50-10 in the opening two sets before the 25-20 third set. Rieck and Jaycee Hanson each had two kills for Creston. Kolbey Bailey and Kuhns combined for 12 digs.

Lewis Central also swept Atlantic 25-15, 25-7, 25-19.

Creston is home again Thursday to face Class 4A ninth-ranked ADM (9-0).

Creston vs. Lewis Central

Kills — Hollyn Rieck 2, Jaycee Hanson 2.

Digs — Mila Kuhns 7, Kolbey Bailey 5.

Creston vs. Atlantic

Kills — Ella Turner 7, Braylee Pokorny 4, Brynn Tussey 4.

Digs — Mila Kuhns 14.

Ace serves — Pokorny 3, Kadley Bailey 2, Hollyn Rieck 2.

Assists — Not available.