March 28, 2024

Cardinal varsity goes 2-3 in Nevada Invitational

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NEVADA — Consistency — or the lack of it — is still a factor in the results on the volleyball court for Newton High’s Cardinals.

The Cardinals went 2-3 in Satuday’s Nevada Invitational tournament. Newton recorded wins over Madrid, 21-16, 15-21, 15-11, and over Ankeny Christian, 25-19, 26-24. It lost to Dallas Center-Grims, 21-6, 21-8, to Carroll 21-9, 21-11 and to Prairie City-Monore, 25-17 25-12.

“The girls responded very well today being faced with adversity and being short with the players that we need,” said Laura Rowen, NHS head coach. “There were lots of times I saw a lot of fight and determination and others where we checked out, we need to find that consistency still.”

Rowen said with the Newton junior varsity playing in a tournament Saturday at Indianola, the Cardinal varsity was a little short of available players. Also Rowen said she chose to hold out sophomore Megan Pressgrove following the opening match against Madrid, because of an injury.

Pressgrove had six kills and a solo block at the net for the Cardinals in the win over Madrid. She also had six digs and three set assists.

Taylor Shipley had a big day for Newton. Shipley delivered 15 kills through the five matches and 22 digs. She also has seven set assists. Shipley rang up five service aces.

Morgan Allen, who had six kills in the Ankeny Christian match, finished with 11 kills on the day and two assisted blocks. Senior Sydney Hemann had six of her eight kills against Ankeny Christian. Hemann also had 22 digs and two block assists for the tournament along with eight set assists and three ace serves.

Ryanne Rausch came up 25 digs in the five matches to lead the team in that department. Rausch put down eight kills, made one solo block and had two assisted blocks at the net. She served three aces.

Fran Lucas was credited with 23 digs and one ace serve on the day. Emily Fitzgerald had 15 digs and two kills. Shelby Davis had three kills, two block assists and one ace serve.

“There are good things to come, if the girls want it and play the way we see them do in practice,” Rowen said.

Newton is 5-17 overall. The Cardinals travel to Grinnell Tuesday.

Contact Sports Editor Jocelyn Sheets at (641) 792-3121 Ext. 6535 or jsheets@newtondailynews.com.