~by Dustin Teays for The Scranton Journal
The Greene County Rams volleyball team’s season is officially underway, having played in a triangular Aug. 28 in Grimes. The results there were mixed.
The Rams took on the host Dallas Center-Grimes Mustangs and lost in two close sets 0-2 (17-21, 18-21). The Rams followed that up with a win over the Mason City Riverhawks 2-0 (21-12, 21-11). The Rams then closed out the triangular with a loss to the Ballard Bombers 0-2 (13-21, 14-21). With this first regular season meet under their belts, the Rams start with a 1-2 record.
While the triangular didn’t quite go how the Rams hoped, there were plenty of positives to take away from the day, especially considering that all three teams they faced were Class 4A teams, a class larger than Greene County. The Rams were also playing Mason City and Dallas Center-Grimes for just the second time ever.
“Violet Reedy was all over the court keeping the ball in play, one time even putting up a set from her knees after sliding in low to save the pass,” said head coach Chris Heisterkamp. “Serving was overall strong. Emma Ewalt and Lila Osterson served 100 percent for the night.”
While the Rams were looking for more wins during their first action, serving was a strong point for them, and the team will look to build on it in the coming weeks as the regular season continues.
The Rams will look to bounce back with some wins as they battle for positioning in Heart of Iowa Conference play. Their aspirations to make it to the state tournament continue in 2024.
The Rams volleyball team was scheduled to carry on their regular season on Tuesday, Sept. 3, at the Kuemper Triangular, which included Kuemper Catholic, Ames, Ogden, and Roland-Story. The Rams travel to Perry on Sept. 9 and Grand View Christian on Sept. 12.
Greene County 0 Dallas Center-Grimes 2: Kills- Emma Shipley 4, Lila Osterson 3, Payton Kokenge 2, Ella Shipley 1;Digs- Addison Gannon 4, Bellah Johnson 3, Hailey Carman 2;Blocks- Payton Kokenge 1, Violet Reedy 1, Emma Ewalt 1;Assists- Violet Reedy 10.
Greene County 2 Mason City 0: Kills- Kokenge 4, Emma Shipley 3, Ella Shipley 3, Osterson 3, Ewalt 2;Digs- Gannon 4, Ewalt 3, Johnson 3;Blocks- Reedy 2, Emma Shipley 1, Kokenge 1, Ella Shipley 1;Assists- Reedy 14.
Greene County 0 Ballard 2: Kills- Osterson 4, Emma Shipley 3, Ewalt 3, Kokenge 2, Ella Shipley 1;Digs- Gannon 5, Carman 3, Kokenge 3;Blocks- Emma Shipley 2, Violet Reedy 1; Assists- Violet Reedy 10.
