~courtesy of The Scranton Journal
The Greene County volleyball team had a full week of action, starting with a road trip to Story City Sept. 28 for a triangular meet with #12 Roland-Story and Prairie-City Monroe. The Rams lost 2-0 to the Norsemen and 2-1 to the Mustangs.
Tuesday the Rams lost to West Marshall in State Center by scores of 25-21, 25-19 and 25-21.
Thursday saw the Rams in the new high school gym for the first time. They got their first match win of the week, soundly defeating Ogden 25-6 and 25-9 in a triangular match. Southeast Valley took the second match 25-22 and 25-18.
“It was very exciting to be in the new gym,” stated coach Chris Heisterkamp. “It’s such a beautiful facility, and we are so thankful to call it home.”
Saturday Greene County hosted a tournament where they fell to Boone, Stanton and Grinnell.
Roland-Story 21-21 ~ Rams 10-13
Roland-Story quickly disposed of Greene County in the first set 21-10 while the Rams did slightly better in the second game, losing 21-13.
Brianna Osterson, Lily Muir and Isabella Schroeder each had three kills to lead the team offense. Natalie Heupel set 10 assists. The R-S offense was potent as the Rams recorded just nine digs. Heupel topped the stat with three.
The team stroked 18 of 22 serves for 81.8 percent. Emma Hoyle delivered an ace serve in a 3/4 performance at the line. Eliza Carlson went 4/4 and Heupel served 5/6.
PCM 10-21-15 ~ Rams 21-14-10
Greene County had a stellar performance in the first set, winning 21-10, but Prairie City-Monroe found their rhythm and took the second game 21-14. The Rams were not able to recover their momentum and lost the deciding set 15-10.
Osterson had a big night, spiking seven kills and hustling to record four digs. Muir also had four digs. Natalie Heupel set six assists.
The team fired 37/45 for 82.2 percent. Hoyle and Carlson each hammered 11/12 serves with Hoyle posting three aces and Carlson, two. Katrina Heupel went 4/5 at the line with three ace serves.
West Marshall 25-25-25 ~ Rams 21-19-21
The Rams traveled to State Center Sept. 29 where they lost to the host team. Greene County competed well in the 25-21, 25-19 and 25-21 losses.
Coach Heisterkamp said she saw some good things happen during the match.
Osterson and Muir topped the kill chart with eight apiece. Natalie Heupel set 14 assists. Natalie, Osterson and Muir defended the court with 12, 11 and 10 digs respectively. Muir and Schroeder each blocked two Trojan hits.
Serving was up for the Rams as they stroked 55 of 61 for 90.2 percent. Hoyle fired 12/14with two aces; Osterson 11/12 with two aces; N Heupel 10/11 and an ace.
Rams 25-25 ~ Ogden 6-9
Greene County dominated Ogden, defeating the Bulldogs 25-6 and 25-9.
Osterson tallied nine kills, followed by K Heupel with five and Muir with three. N Heupel set 13 assists. Muir defended the Ram court with six digs. N Heupel had four digs.
Hoyle had a strong stand at the service line, stroking 19/19 with six aces. Carlson fired 12/13 and three ace serves. N Heupel went 9/9 with an ace. The team posted 95.9 accuracy in 47 of 49 serve attempts.
SE Valley 25-25 ~ Rams 22-18
Southeast Valley defeated the Rams in the second match of the triangular 25-22 and 25-18.
Osterson was the kill leader in this match with 12. Schroeder had five, Muir and N Heupel three apiece.
Hoyle was tough on defense with eight digs and Schroeder had two solo blocks.
Muir served eight of nine with an ace. Hoyle stroked 7/7; N Heupel 7/8 and K Heupel 5/5. The team fired 37/41 for 90.2 percent.
GC Tournament
Greene County hosted an eight-team volleyball tournament Saturday with four teams playing in the new high school gym and four in the old middle school gym. Due to COVID-19 concerns, each team played three matches. There was no crossover or playing out through all eight places. The Rams, Boone, Stanton and Grinnell played at the high school while Carroll, Lewis Central, South Hardin and Pella Christian were at the middle school.
“We were missing three of our regular players on this day, including our setters,” explained Heisterkamp. “Sophomore Analynn Baugh and freshman Graci Cooklin, stepped in and did a wonderful job for us.”
Greene County lost all three of their matches while Stanton was 3-0, Grinnell 2-1, and Boone 1-2. The Rams fell to Boone 1-2 and 0-2 to both Stanton and Grinnell.
The Rams were down 8-0 to Boone before posting a point, eventually losing 16-25. In the second set, GC held a seven-point lead which evaporated to one. But the Rams were able to close out the 25-21 victory on a Brianna Osterson ace serve. The Rams and Toreadors were tied 6-6 in the third game before Boone went on to win 12-15.
Stanton and Greene County were tied 9-9 in their first set before the Viqueens took over to win 25-15. The Rams trailed 9-18 in the second game before falling 16-25.
The Rams had Grinnell down 20-8 in set one but the Tigers grabbed the momentum, outscoring GC 18-4 to win 26-24. The Rams were close in the second game but Grinnell recorded the 25-20 victory.
Leading the team in kills for the day was Osterson with 25; Muir 10 and Schroeder seven. Muir tallied nine digs while Kaylee Stalder and Carlson each had six. Analynn Baugh stepped up from her reserve position to hammer 27/29 serves. Carlson stroked 17/17; Muir 12/14 and Stalder 11/11.
Greene County travels to Nevada Thursday for action beginning at 5 pm. The Cubs are 17-15 and sit in second place in the Heart of Iowa Conference at 4-1. Next week the Rams entertain South Hamilton on Monday and Saydel on Tuesday.
