Keokuk girls take 3 of 4 from Lady Hounds

Fort Madison's Elle Ruble gets a tip at the net for Fort Madison as McKenna Cashman (10) looks on.

Photo by Chuck Vandenberg/PCC

Isabella Boeding handles a ball in the back row in front of the Hounds libero during the second set Tuesday night

Photo by Chuck Vandenberg/PCC

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Teamwork

They kept fighting. They do have a way of trying to help each other through things. We talk about teamwork a lot, and that’s getting better.”

Kelly Knustrom, FMHS girls head volleyball coach

FORT MADISON - Fort Madison’s volleyball team hasn’t won yet this season, but coach Kelly Knustrom saw positives in Tuesday’s home loss to Keokuk to open Southeast Conference play.
The Bloodhounds had their moments in the 25-18, 18-25, 25-20, 25-21 defeat to the Chiefs.
There was the win in the second game, when they pulled away late to even the match.
And there was the comeback in the fourth game, when down 9-2 they were able to get to within two points late.
Fort Madison fell to 0-6, but Knustrom is learning a lot about her team.
“I would say they don’t give up,” she said. “They kept fighting. They do have a way of trying to help each other through things. We talk about teamwork a lot, and that’s getting better.”
The second game was probably the best of the early season for the Bloodhounds. They outscored the Chiefs (2-3) 9-2 to close the game, a run that included two service aces from Elle Ruble and three points at the net from Taylor Johnson.
“I think the energy (was the key) and that’s something we talk about — playing with more energy,” Knustrom said.
The Bloodhounds had trouble closing in the three games they lost. They were within 16-14 in the first game, within 19-18 in the third game, and within 23-21 in the fourth.
It was the rally in the fourth game that impressed Knustrom. The Bloodhounds’ sluggishness in the Chiefs’ 9-2 start could have been a killer, but it wasn’t.
“I don’t know if we were just tired, which isn’t an excuse,” Knustrom said. “Coming off game two, game three, I thought we really let down. But, and I told them in the locker room, at 9-2 we could have said we’re done. They fought back, so I’m super-proud of them for that.”
Fort Madison was down 23-18, but a kill from Lauryn Helmick and two aces from Trista Jones kept the Bloodhounds in the match. Makenna Altgilbers’ kill, though, sealed the win for the Chiefs.
“I thought our hitters really swung tonight,” Knustrom said. “I thought Ajia (Jenkins) swung really well in games two and three. Taylor was good. And Lauryn had some good kills too.”