The key to that first volleyball match of the season is often who gets comfortable first.
Central Lee did that on Thursday night in the 18-25, 25-20, 25-15, 25-21 win over Fort Madison.
The Hawks’ experience showed after the opening-set loss.
“That first game is always a bit rough, because we all have nerves, we’re all a little shaky,” said junior middle hitter Taylor Jones. “And I think we just settled in and started playing our game. Our coach talked to us about how we play in practice and how we needed to tap into that.”
Asked what was different after that first set, Central Lee coach Amy Cook said, “Just the girls’ energy, I think, and more communication. We talked about that during a timeout (in the first set), and they did do it at the end, but it was too late by then. But they did execute that in the next three games. So I do think it was just the communication and the overall energy.”
By contrast, Fort Madison’s lineup is still in the getting-to-know-you phase, and it showed throughout the night.
“I know we were pretty hyped for that first game,” Fort Madison coach Kelly Knustrom said. “We started out the game great and then settled in a little bit. I don’t know if there was a little bit of a letdown after that or what.
“I think Central Lee made a lot less errors after that first game. I would say they settled in nicely.”
Central Lee took control late in the second set, scoring six of the last seven points. Fort Madison was within 17-13 in the third set before another big run by the Hawks ended it, then Central Lee closed the match by rallying from an early 8-3 deficit, scoring five of the last six points following a timeout that came when the Bloodhounds got to within 20-19.
“It was pretty evenly matched tonight,” Knustrom said. “I don’t think that’s our best volleyball, we’ve got things to work out. We’re figuring out how to play together, and how to communicate as a team. We’ve got a lot of kids who have never played next to each other, so we’ve got some things to learn.”
Eleven of the Hawks’ 14 players on the roster are juniors or seniors, and that showed.
“We don’t have an all-new team,” Jones said. “Most of the players we had last year, we have this year. So it helps to have more experience. You always know where everybody is at.”
“We have girls who are not all about ‘me,’” Cook said. “They just really want what’s best for the team. They know they have talent, they want to give their talents to help the rest of the team.”
Jones and Kylie Fortune each had 12 kills to lead Central Lee. Kenna Sandoval had 18 assists. Jayden Mueller had 33 digs, while Jones had 23 and Sandoval had 14. Fortune had four solo blocks, while Jones had two.
Sydney McEntee led Fort Madison with nine kills, while Dayonna Davis had eight. Mara Smith had 21 assists and three blocks. Kylie Lumino had eight digs and Kenzie Huebner had six. Alaina Schwerin had five blocks, while Brylie Lorence had three.
The Bloodhounds play this weekend at the Bondurant Tournament, and Knustrom is looking forward to getting her team more experience.
“I’d like to go up there and get a couple of wins,” Knustrom said. “I’m kind of tired of just learning, learning and trying to figure things out. I’m ready to get it going here.”
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