March 29, 2024

Cardinals halt losing skid at R-S Invite

STORY CITY — Breaking an eight-match losing streak, Newton High’s Cardinals rallied to beat fellow Jasper County team Prairie City-Monroe on Monday.

The Cardinals defeated the Mustangs 16-21, 21-11, 15-8 in a consolation match at the Roland-Story Norsemen Invitational volleyball tournament. Both teams had lost their first match of the night.

Newton dropped a 21-11, 21-10 decision to Carlisle to open the tournament. PCM lost to host Roland-Story 21-14, 21-7.

The Cardinals have more match wins — 4-11 — than they had a year ago, going 3-25. Monday’s win was the first since Sept. 6.

“Tonight, we had the strong finish, but a slow start. A lot of that just comes from inexperience playing at the varsity level,” Newton head coach Ashley Carter said. “Once the girls got their footing, they made quick work of the PCM game. Our team is new and we are working on strong starts and finishes.”

Newton sophomore Kate Callaghan was named to the all-tournament team. Against PCM, she had seven kills at the net and put up seven set assists. She also had six digs. She delivered five kills in the Carlisle match, made three set assists and one dig.

Sophomore Meg Callaghan pounded down five kills against PCM and junior Madi Amos worked four kills at the net. Junior Kamryn Arguello had two kills while sophomore Tess Brunsmann had one kill. Brunsmann had four set assists.

Meg Callaghan served up two aces in the PCM match for Newton. Also from the service line, senior Brittney McConnell and Arguello each had a service ace.

Defensively against the Mustangs, Newton got seven digs from Amos and six digs from McConnell. Arguello had four digs. Credited with two digs apiece were sophomore Nykole Hernandez and Meg Callaghan.

In the opening match with Carlisle, McConnell delivered three kills, Arguello had two kills and Meg Callaghan had one kill. Meg Callahan was credited with a solo block at the net.

Brunsmann was credited with four set assists while Amos and Meg Callaghan each had one set assist. McConnell and Arguello each had a service ace.

Amos came up with six digs and Hernandez had five digs. McConnell had three digs, junior Priscila Amador had two digs and Arguello had one dig.

“We can’t afford to make a lot of unforced errors,” Carter said. “The girls have a busy week and they’re ready to play at home tomorrow and Thursday.”

Newton is looking to carry a little momentum from Monday into Tuesday’s home match against Norwalk. The Cardinals host Norwalk for a 7:15 p.m. varsity match in Little Hawkeye Conference play.

The Cardinals are 0-4 in LHC action while Norwalk (12-15) is 1-3 in conference matches.

Newton hosts its annual Cardinal Invitational on Thursday with matches beginning at 4:30 p.m. at Newton High School. Teams joining the Cardinals in the event are Boone, Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont, Grand View Christian, Ottumwa and Pella.

Contact Jocelyn Sheets at
641-792-3121 ext. 6535
or jsheets@newtondailynews.com