Three ranked teams meeting in Ackley Tuesday for NICL volleyball triangular
Three ranked volleyball teams will meet in a North Iowa Cedar League triangular when #8 (1A) AGWSR hosts #15 (2A) Aplington-Parkersburg and #11 (2A) Wapsie Valley Tuesday.
The Cougars enter 8-11 overall after mixed results at a tournament hosted by #15 (1A) Gladbrook-Reinbeck over the weekend. There, AGWSR earned wins over North Butler and Colo-Nesco, and lost to the Falcons and Waterloo Christian. While the wins haven’t come as often as she anticipated, AGWSR Head Coach Jill Smith says serving has been a strength.
"Our serving has definitely been one of our strong points this year," Smith says. "I think our athletes are hitting zones really well. We're able to key in on players and work to get teams out of system. I also feel like, for the most part, we are serving at a pretty high mark percentage-wise, but I feel like we're serving pretty tough. I feel like a lot of times, that make percentage isn't as high when you're trying to serve tough and get teams out of system, but I feel like we're doing a good job of serving tough and keeping the ball in play."
The 92.8 percent efficiency ranks as the seventh best in Class 1A. Trevyn Smith has 30 aces, tied for the 16th most in Class 1A. Jill Smith says Tuesday’s triangular will provide stiff competition, as is typically found in conference play.
"It'll be another tough night of competition for us, but I think it's two teams we have the ability to compete with and challenge on the court. I think AP is playing better than they have the last couple years. I think Wapsie is always tough. They have a little different look to their team. They have kids stepping up, and their coaching staff always has them doing the right thing."
The Falcons are 15-4 after going 5-0 in Reinbeck on Saturday, and they didn’t lose a set. The team’s 125 service aces are the eighth most in Class 2A. Entering the triangular, Kinsey Mohwinkle and Peyton Klooster lead the attack with 133 and 128 kills.
The Warriors are 14-9 after a 3-2 outing at Saturday’s tournament hosted by Lisbon, which included a quality win over #10 (2A) West Burlington. Taylor Buhr’s 191 kills rank as the 13th most in Class 2A.
Action will begin at 5:00 p.m., with pregame coverage beginning at 4:50 on 99 The Wave.
