Early leads propel Lady Hawks to sweep over VB

Hawks gaining intensity

Compared to how we've been playing in the past tournaments, they're talking and intensity was a lot better. I think they see that now. Hopefully practices will remain like that and future games as well”

Amy Cook, Head Coach Central Lee volleyball

DONNELLSON - A couple big leads to start the first two sets pushed Central Lee to a three-game sweep of Van Buren County Thursday night.

The Hawks downed Van Buren 25-22, 25-12, 25-13 in a SEI Superconference South matchup at at Central Lee.

Freshman Kenna Sandoval opened the night serving seven straight including three aces to get Central Lee a 7-0 lead, But a kill by Van Buren's Ivy Davison stopped the rally and then the Warriors reeled off a run of their own  to cut the lead to 7-4.

Back-to-back kills by Mya Lampe gave the Hawks a sideout and a point to make it 9-4, until Van Buren tied it up at 9 when a the Hawks had a defensive let down.

The two teams would trade points for a while until Central Lee pulled ahead 20-16 on a Bailey Schwartz ace. The Hawks would extend the lead to 24-19 on an attack error by sophomore Tessa Sayer.

Central Lee would have trouble finding the final point with three consecutive offensive errors to get the Warriors within two points forcing Central Lee Head Coach Amy Cook to call a time out. The Hawks got the game winner on the next service from Van Buren for the win in game one.

"Yeah, those good starts are beneficial for us, but that's one of the things we need to work on when we get those big runs. We kind of relaxed," Cook said.

Central Lee jumped out to another big lead in the second set going up 9-0. Van Buren wouldn't really get back in that game as the Hawks didn't relax and pushed leads of 14-4 and 21-6 before slamming the door at 25-12 on another Van Buren  attack error.

Sandoval who had two blocks on the night got them both  at 5-0 and 8-0 in the Hawks' early run.

Central Lee had to work a little at the beginning of the third game but at 3-2 behind consecutive  aces from Schwartz, the Hawks got things turned around and raced out to 10-6 lead on a kill from Makayla Morrison to mid court.

Van Buren would cut the lead to three at 11-8 but Central Lee would then outscore the Warriors 9-2 for a 20-10 advantage. A big double block at the net from the Hawks' front line made it 23-13 forcing a Van Buren timeout.

Central Lee would get the next two points on Van Buren errors to wrap up the match.

Cook said the girls showed an increase in on-court intensity compared to the tournament play that started the season last week, including Central Lee's own tournament last weekend.

"Compared to how we've been playing in the past tournaments, they're talking and intensity was a lot better. I think they see that now. Hopefully practices will remain like that and future games as well," Cook said.

The tournament play has helped the Hawks going into the main part of the season,' she said.

"There were some really good teams here and at Wapello. I've said this a lot, but it only makes you better to play those teams. Wilton and HTC are tough teams and it's good for our girls to play those types of teams."

Morrison had 10 kills to lead the Hawks on offense and was 10/10 serving with two aces. Sandoval had 13 assists. Alix Congdon had 10 digs and was 10/12 serving with two aces. Halle Lampe had four blocks for the Hawks.

Central Lee moves to 4-4 on the year and 1-0 on the Superconference. They travel to Mediapolis on Tuesday.