~by Dustin Teays for The Scranton Journal
The Greene County Rams volleyball team played a triangular match this past week and ended up with an even record.
The Rams hosted the South Central Calhoun Titans and the Panorama Panthers in a triangular Sept. 19. The Rams lost their first match against the Titans 2-1 (25- 21, 16-25,12-15). While they ultimately fell in three sets, they got that first-set win.
“We started out strong, but then got stuck too long in one rotation versus their best hitter. Overall, our serving was a good first ball to challenge their offensive plan, but we found ourselves out of system a lot, fighting to get a decent ball to our hitters, and our off-speed attacks weren’t dropping in for points. Too many little things didn’t connect and we fell short,” head coach Chris Heisterkamp said.
The Rams bounced back with a strong win over the Panthers 2-0 (25-14, 25-14). With their win over the Panthers the Rams took their overall record to 7-8 overall and right near the top of the Heart of Iowa Conference, in part by having a short memory.
“We’ve worked a lot on letting the past play go and bouncing back quickly. I credit the girls for doing that after our break. They reset mentally and started fresh. Things were clicking much better in our second match,” Heisterkamp said.
The Rams volleyball team is continuing to focus on improving as the season moves along with the overall goal to get to state volleyball. Heisterkamp believes this team will just continue to improve.
“We have seen great improvement. Yes, we also have our share of ups and downs, but I believe we are getting better and doing well at flowing together, moving better as one unit on the court. These are great girls, and I know they’re giving all their effort, which makes me believe their best ball is yet ahead,” Heisterkamp concluded.
The Rams head to the Nevada High School Fieldhouse to take on the Nevada Cubs Sept. 26, with that match set to begin at 6:30 pm. The team will host Saydel on Thursday, Oct. 3, with a home tournament Saturday, Oct. 5, when the Rams will host AC/ GC, Carlisle, Carroll, Nodaway Valley, South Hardin, Stanton and Van Meter.
Greene County 1 SCC 2
Kills: Emma Shipley 9, Emma Ewalt 4, Ella Shipley 4, Bellah Johnson 1, Lila Osterson 1, Payton Kokenge 1, Violet Reedy 1,
Blocks: Emma Shipley 3, Ella Shipley 2, Payton Kokenge 2, Lila Osteron 1, Emma Ewalt 1
Assists: Violet Reedy 14, Hailey Carman 1, Emma Shipley 1
Digs: Emma Ewalt 7, Bellah Johnson 6, Lila Osterson 5, Hailey Carman 4, Addison Gannon 3, Violet Reedy 3, Payton Kokenge 2, Emma Shipley 1
Greene County 2 Panorama 0
Kills: Lila Osterson 8, Emma Ewalt 5, Emma Shipley 5, Ella Shipley 3, Violet Reedy 2
Blocks: Emma Shipley 2, Violet Reedy 2,
Assists: Violet Reedy 17, Bellah Johnson 2, Payton Kokenge 1
Digs: Bellah Johnson 4, Lila Osterson 3, Hailey Carman 3, Addison Gannon 3, Ella Shipley 2, Emma Ewalt 2, Payton Kokenge 1, Violet Reedy 1
