Cardinals fly past Panthers in three-game sweep

CLARINDA — The Panthers (5-15) found a road loss Thursday against the Cardinals (12-8) as they fell 3-0.

After Kadley Bailey, one of their dominant setters, senior Kolbey Bailey has had to step more into the role, leading the team in assists against Clarinda with seven.

While Coach Teresa Arkfeld said serving was much better than the previous week against Denison-Schleswig, the Panthers didn’t land an ace against the Cardinals.

Clarinda found 10 aces in the matchup, junior Jerzee Knight leading the way with four.

“Our girls played hard given the circumstances,” Arkfeld said. “They definitely did not give up on any balls.”

Junior libero Mila Kuhns led the Panthers in digs with 10. Ella Turner added seven while Kolbey Bailey and Hollynn Rieck each logged six.

“We were not getting the kills we needed against some big blocks,” Arkfeld said. “Clarinda definitely played better last night than they did on Saturday.”

Though the Panthers still lost in their last match up at a tournament in Red Oak on Sept. 16, they fell 15-21 and 18-21 in close sets.

Turner and Rieck had five and four kills, respectively, of the Panthers’ 13 kills. The Cardinals had 11 blocks compared to the Panthers’ four.

The Panthers return to action Thursday against Red Oak where they face the 12-9 Tigers.

Stats

Clarinda 3, Creston 0

Serving (aces) — none.

Attacks (kills) — Ella Turner 5, Hollynn Rieck 4, Kolbey Bailey 1, Mila Kuhns 1, Bailee Schmitt 1, Jaycee Hanson 1.

Blocks — Braylee Pokorny 2, Rieck 1, Hanson 1.

Setting (assists) — Bailey 7, Rieck 2, Kuhns 2, Brynn Tussey 1.

Digs — Kuhns 10, Turner 7, Rieck 6, Bailey 6, Hanson 3.