Raiderettes go 2-0 in first outing
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Mount Ayr 2, CD 0
The Mount Ayr Raiderette volleyball squad traveled to Bedford last Thursday to begin the Fall sports season in a triangular against Central Decatur and Bedford.
The first match of the night saw Bedford defeat Central Decatur, 2-0, before the Raiderettes took the court to warm-up and face the Cardinals.
The Raiderettes started the night off with Kaylie Shields at the serve line.
Mount Ayr started off strong with a 5-2 lead before extending the lead 13-8.
The Cardinals battled back to tie the contest at 18 before Hayden Ruggles served up three aces in a row.
Mount Ayr would go on to take the first set 25-21.
In the second set of the night, the Raiderettes allowed an ace to start the game, but Olivia Huntington answered back with an ace of her own and Mount Ayr took a 4-2 lead.
The Raiderettes stayed ahead in the second set and enjoyed a 23-18 lead before winning the set and match with a 25-20 victory.
Mount Ayr 3,
Bedford 1
Fresh off their victory over the Cardinals, the Raiderettes warmed-up for the home town Bedford Bulldogs, who had also recently beat the Cardinals.
The Raiderettes jumped out ahead early with a 5-2 lead with Ruggles at the serving line and a Bedford timeout with Mount Ayr leading 8-4 had the Mount Ayr side looking confident.
The Bulldogs went on a four-point run but couldn’t even the score as the Raiderettes saw Tabby Henle and Tegan Streit make timely plays which put the Raiderettes ahead 20-12.
Bedford was able to close the gap late but Mount Ayr won the first set 25-21.
In set two, the Raiderettes fell behind early but freshman Aubree Shields hit the floor for her first varsity action in which she helped the Raiderettes with her first varsity kill.
The Raiderettes continued to close the gap by nice serves by Henle and a block by Kaylie Shields to tie the contest at 18.
Streit came through late to put the Raiderettes ahead to eventually win the second set 26-24.
The Bulldogs wouldn’t go out without a fight, however, and was able to stay alive in the conference matchup with a set three win, 25-22.
Despite an early 3-1 lead, the Bulldogs overcame the Raiderettes and led 20-13.
A timeout by Mount Ayr saw the Raiderettes comeback 23-20 and Bedford would go on to win.
Set four was the final set of the night, with Mount Ayr taking the victory.
Linsie Barnes had a nice block early but Bedford recovered on the play and got the point.
The Raiderettes went up 8-4 before Kacee Klommhaus and Streit both had kills and an ace by Henle put the Raiderettes up 13-8.
The Raiderettes would continue to fight to win 25-19 and defeat the Bulldogs 3-1 overall.
“We just really have to trust in each other and I feel like we trusted each other and there’s no hesitation,” said coach Kristen Graham. “We have to capitalize on moments and especially celebrate the small things.”
The Raiderettes only had two missed serves against the Bulldogs, while Streit recorded 13 kills and Klommhaus had eight.
“We’re trying to run a faster paced offense and that really helps. I feel like our serve/receive is finally improving to where we can run that offense,” said Graham. “I think it’s huge for us to go 2-0 tonight and we can only go up from here and I plan on being in the top running for the conference this year.”
Henle was everywhere on the court in both contests and is in her senior year with the program.
“Most of us are in the same grade and used to each other,” said Henle. “I didn’t think we were going to come out as good as we were but we did good. We have a really good shot at making the top of the conference.”
Henle was one of the best servers for the Raiderettes, recording plenty of aces for the team and she couldn’t feel happier about the wins.
“I usually have a deep serve but I couldn’t hit it as hard for some reason and it went short and they struggled,” said Henle. “It feels awesome, absolutely incredible.”
