Kuemper bounces Panthers, 3-0

Class 2A second-ranked Carroll Kuemper Catholic was tested in the first set, but went on to claim a 25-20, 25-15, 25-10 sweep to open the Creston volleyball season here Tuesday.

An imposing Kuemper front line that included 6-0 middle hitter Brianna Wittrock (eight kills), 5-11 outside hitter Mariah Heuton (six kills) and 5-11 outside hitter Kolbi Peter (six kills) controlled action at the net in the final two sets. Creston’s tallest players in the varsity rotation are 5-9 and 5-8.

“They adjusted to our hitting after the first set,the spots that we were hitting,” Creston coach Naomi Sharp said. “After that they put up a heck of a block, so we really struggled to find the holes.”

Creston opened its season with an energized first set, featuring a scrappy defense that kept points alive. Kadley Bailey set for a Braylee Pokorny kill to pull the Panthers within three at 16-13, and Hollynn Rieck sent a kill down the line to keep it close late at 18-14.

The Knights were barely able to extend the gap in winning seven of the next 13 points for the 25-20 win.

The Panthers stayed close at 4-3 and 7-5 in the early stages of set two, but Kuemper’s attack seemed to find another gear in outscoring Creston 50-25 over the final two sets.

“We came out and we were setting the ball up well and finding the floor at times in the first set,” Sharp said. “I told them, we are in this! Even in the beginning of the second game we were in it. We’re mostly 5-7 and 5-8, so when we’re tired it’s even more apparent that we’re not as tall. When they put three (6-footers) up there it’s a constant battle. Your legs get tired from jumping, and then as the games go on you’re just not as springy as you were in game one.”

Pokorny, Rieck and Jaycee Hanson each hit five kills for the Panthers and junior Hope Henderson had four. Bailey had 22 setting assists, served 11-of-11 and 11 digs. Avery Staver led the team with 14 digs and served 11-12.

Kuemper, which started two freshmen, two sophomores and two seniors, improved to 3-0 for the season. Creston (0-1) traveled to Carlisle Thursday to face Oskaloosa, West Marshall and Carlisle.

Kuemper 3, Creston 0

Serving (aces) — Creston: Kadley Bailey 11-11 (0), Avery Staver 11-12 (0), Jaycee Hanson 6-6 (0). Kuemper: Elsa Tiefenthaler 22-22 (1), Mia Milligan 14-14 (2), Kaylie Simons 10-10 (1).

Kills — Creston (20): Braylee Pokorny 5, Jaycee Hanson 5, Hollynn Rieck 5, Hope Henderson 4. Kuemper (35): Brianna Wittrock 8, Kolbi Peter 6, Mariah Heuton 6.

Blocks — Creston (0). Kuemper (8): Wittrock 3, Heuton 3.

Setting (assists) — Creston (24): Kadley Bailey 22, Staver 1, Ella Turner 1. Kuemper (34): Elsa Tiefenthaler 29, Kaylie Simons 5.

Digs — Creston (49): A. Staver 14, Bailey 11, Rieck 9. Kuemper (75): Kaylie Simons 18, Tiefenthaler 15, Mia Milligan 12.