Baxter stays unbeaten in Iowa Star Conference play

CEDAR FALLS — The Baxter volleyball team got contributions from several different players in a three-set sweep over Valley Lutheran on Thursday night.

Eight different players helped the Bolts reach 31 kills as a team on the night, and Baxter improved to 2-0 in the Iowa Star Conference’s South Division with a 25-4, 25-13, 25-13 road win.

“We played very well tonight,” Baxter coach Scott Ranck said. “Everyone had a lot of fun. We came in focused and took care of business efficiently and effectively.”

Senior Jordynn Wesselink led a balanced hitting attack with nine kills. Senior Mary Schabilion added six kills, sophomore Bekka Watt tallied five kills, sophomore Amber Weltha pitched in four kills and freshman Hallee Rainsbarger tallied three kills.

Even senior setter Lexi Ewing had a pair of kills and led the Bolts (5-4 overall, 2-0 in conference play) with 12 assists.

Senior Sailor Hinegardner had a team-high 11 digs and was 19-of-19 in serves, and Watt chipped in 10 digs and four aces. Wesselink added nine digs and six aces and junior Sydney Schmidt dished out nine assists.

The Bolts missed 10 serves but had 14 aces, too.

“We tried some new things, were able to get everyone in and didn’t miss a beat,” Ranck said. “We now want to ride this momentum into several games we have the next couple of weeks.”

The Bolts host Class 1A No. 8 North Tama (13-1) at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Baxter.