Hawks get swept by North Mahaska
By Ben Frotscher NDN Sports Writer
SULLY — Lynnville-Sully’s volleyball team played about as close as they could in three games against North Mahaska, but the Hawks struggled with closing out their opponent at home Monday night.
Despite leading most of the way in games one and two, Lynnville-Sully just couldn’t close out North Mahaska in South Iowa Cedar League action as the Warhawks took a 25-23, 26-24, 25-21 victory.
“The thing about North Mahaska is they have nice athletes, but even after the match, I thought we competed well with them — other than little things,” Lynnville-Sully coach Al Hodgeman said. “I can’t fault the effort at all. I was proud of our kids — they played well.”
Senior Tessa Engle led Lynnville-Sully with 10 kills in the loss, while junior Tara Van Rees had 12 digs and six kills.
The Hawks started well in all three games against North Mahaska.
Lynnville-Sully found themselves up 7-3 in game one after a Van Rees kill. The lead grew to as large as 14-6 after back-to-back service aces by Brianna James, but North Mahaska roared back on a 10-2 run to take the lead after back-to-back kills by Allie Ferguson.
Despite North Mahaska making a rally, the Hawks tried to hold onto the lead. A James push gave the Hawks the lead at 21-20 and the game was still tied at 23 after a Josie Morris ace, but the Warhawks scored the last two points to take a 25-23 victory.
“The issue is to have a lead and the ability to close that out and stay on top,” Hodgeman said. “I know we got stuck in a rotation where we were up 11-6 and all of a sudden it was 15-15.”
The Hawks jumped to the lead again in game two, going up 14-11 after five straight service points from James. Lynnville-Sully held the lead as late as 22-21 after a Morris push, but the Warhawks came up big down the stretch again.
North Mahaska score five of the final seven points, including a Ferguson kill to win the game at 26-24.
“The first two games were two points, and we had the lead in both of those games,” Hodgeman said. “You just turn that around a little bit.”
For game three, Lynnville-Sully was playing catch-up most of the way. The Hawks went ahead 6-3 after back-to-back points from Van Rees, but North Mahaska got three straight kills from Mallory Boyle to go up 13-10 and start to take control.
The Hawks fell behind by as many as five points, but tried to rally back. Unfortunately, Lynnville-Sully was its own worst enemy — having four net serves in the final six North Mahaska points to allow the Warhawks a 25-21 victory and sweep.
“The only thing that really hurt us overall was serving, especially in that last game,” Hodgeman said. “You can’t teach that.”
Lynnville-Sully had 11 aces in the losing effort but was just 46-of-59 from behind the line.
Next up for the Hawks (4-13, 1-5 SICL) is a road matchup at Keota on Wednesday.
North Mahaska 3,
Lynnville-Sully 0
Serving (aces) — Brianna James 13-16 (3), Josie Morris 13-13 (3), Kelsey Beyer 9-11 (2). Team: 46-59 (11).
Attacks (kills) — Tara Van Rees 25-29 (6), Tessa Engle 18-23 (10), Beyer 12-16 (4), James 7-8 (3). Team: 66-80 (25).
Blocks (solo-assists) — Beyer 0-2, Engle 0-2. Team: 0-6.
Setting assists — Morris 18. Team: 20.
Digs — Van Rees 12, Katelyn Van Wyk 11. Team: 45.
