Raiderette volleyball ends with loss in Lamoni
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The Raiderette volleyball squad faced a tough Lamoni Demon opponent, Wednesday, October 20.
Lamoni jumped out ahead early and stayed on top of the Raiderettes in all three sets to move on to the semi-finals against Southeast Warren.
“We made some adjustments and defensively I thought the girls did a great job moving their feet from the get-go,” said coach Kristen Graham. “The girls were working together and not turning on eachother. I feel like the girls came out and gave it their all.”
Lamoni won 25-14, 25-16 and 25-13 in the three sets to end the season for the Raiderettes, with a record of 12-12.
The Raiderettes had 19 assists and 18 kills on the night, with 10 errors and 83 attempts.
Kaylie Shields and Hayden Ruggles combined for 16 assists, eight each, to lead the team, while Tegan Streit and Linsie Barnes led the team in kills with six each.
Kacee Klommhaus and Addy Reynolds each had three.
Defensively, the Raiderettes had nine blocks with Streit and Barnes leading the way with three each.
On the service line, the Raiderettes recorded two aces and were 40-of-45.
Reynolds and Ruggles each had an ace, while Streit and Maddie Stewart were both nine-of-nine from the line on the night.
The team graduates seniors Payten Lambert, Maddie Stewart, Addy Reynolds and Halsie Barnes.
“This group of girls, these seniors, they are one of a kind and great leaders, on the court, off the court, they have good character, they make sure everyone is put together,” said coach Graham. “That’s what the team needed. They needed the positivity, the energy and having fun. That’s what they needed and that’s what they did.”
The senior motto this season was “We’re not here for a long time, we’re here for a good time.”
The motto was very prevalent in this squad this year. Even with a loss the girls were just happy to have the season and be able to play.
“I think this was the best year, my entire four years of high school and we had really good team bonding at the beginning of the year,” said Stewart. “We all had our own goals and we all met our goals. The senior goal was we’re not here for a long time, we’re here for a good time.”
Stewart’s message to the underclassman was to keep the program up and going like it was this year.
“Our goal coming into our senior year was to do better than last year,” said Lambert. “I think the coaches had a lot to do with turning things around. It was a much more positive atmosphere this year, it just sucks it had to be our last year, but I couldn’t think of a better way to end our season, it was amazing.”
Lambert wanted to tell the underclassmen to remember that it’s more than just a game and to always keep a smile on your face, no matter what happens on the court. Life goes on.
“It means a lot to us, especially us five seniors,” said Barnes about improving on last seasons four wins. “Our main goal was to be good leaders and lead by example and do our best to have fun and have a positive atmosphere all year.”
Barnes message to the underclassmen is to not take it for granted, make every minute count and to have fun. “If you’re not having fun, why are you doing it?” said Barnes.
“I wish I would’ve started with this season and continue to grow, but I can’t complain,” said Reynolds. “We’re leaving the program the best it’s ever been since I’ve been in high school and that’s what the underclassmen deserve. They are hard workers and I am excited to see what they do in the next couple years.”
Reynolds message for the underclassmen was to not take anything for granted.
