Newton volleyball snaps long skid against Eagles

PELLA — Newton senior Kadance Ahn and her classmates were in second grade the last time the Cardinal volleyball program defeated Pella Christian.

And after falling behind 0-2 against the Eagles on Tuesday night, the losing streak looked like it was going to be extended.

But Ahn and the Cardinals had other ideas as Newton rallied from an early hole, fought off several match points and shocked Pella Christian 27-29, 21-25, 25-19, 26-24, 15-2 during a Little Hawkeye Conference road match.

“They pulled together, played together and didn’t get down when things got tough,” Newton head volleyball coach Heidi Woollums said. “They deserved this one.”

The victory for Newton snapped a 20-match losing streak against Pella Christian that started in 2014. The Cardinals’ last win over the Eagles was a three-set sweep back in 2013. Newton finished 26-13 that fall.

It was the eighth win of the season, too. Newton won seven matches in each of the past two seasons.

Both teams had multiple set points in the opening game, but the Eagles found a way late to take an early advantage in the match and then mostly controlled the second set to put the Cardinals on the brink.

However, Ahn and Delaney Woollums took over at the net in the final three sets. And the rest of the Cardinals followed as they ended the third set on a 5-0 run and won by six to extend the match.

Newton (8-2 overall, 1-1 in the LHC) denied the Eagles three straight match points in the fourth set, won a close one to even the match and then used that momentum to dominate the fifth and final frame.

“It was 100 percent a team effort the whole match,” Coach Woollums said. “Different kids stepped up when needed throughout all five sets. Once we got to the final three sets, Delaney and Kadance did what we count on them to do.”

Ahn finished with a career-high 27 kills and 17 digs. Her kill efficiency was an impressive .286. She now ranks third in Class 4A with 114 kills and first with 25 aces.

Delaney Woollums also had a double-double, finishing with a career-best 16 kills and 12 digs. Her kill efficiency also rocked at .227.

But others did their parts, too. Macy Lampe finished with 46 assists and nine digs, Chloe Swank registered 23 digs and two aces and Gracie Clayton posted a career-best 11 digs. Lampe ranks eighth in 4A with 178 assists.

Hailey Sumpter added four kills, two blocks, six digs and four aces, Chloe Rorabaugh put down two kills and had five digs and Haylie Ryan collected two digs. Sumpter’s 24 aces rank tied for second in 4A.

The Cardinals were 101-of-110 in serves with seven aces. Sumpter served 26-of-26 and Lampe was a perfect 24-of-24.

“Chloe Rorabaugh had key kills and blocks at just the right times, Chloe Swank served lights out in the fourth set when we were behind 24-21 and Macy Lampe made great decisions down the last stretch of the match,” Coach Woollums said. “Sump served dynamite and picked up digs and blocks when needed. Gracie Clayton got a round of applause in the locker room after the match for stepping up huge when we needed her.”

Pella Christian (2-6, 0-2) was led by Maggie Heinen’s 16 kills and 18 digs. Chloe Huisman added 37 assists and 11 digs.

The Eagles missed 21 serves (75-of-96) but registered 11 aces.