EV builds chemistry before conference play begins

English Valleys kept itself busy before conference volleyball play in the South Iowa Cedar League begins this week.

The team wrapped up its third tournament to begin the season at home Saturday.

Getting all these matches in to start the season is by design.

“We’ve got lots of new people in different positions, so this has given us a chance to put some people in some different postilions and see how things go,” English Valleys head coach Bob Barrick said.

The Bears headed into Saturday 2-5, but started the morning off on a positive note with a three-set win over Hillcrest Academy 21-19, 23-25 and 15-9.

“We’ve gradually gotten better,” Barrick said. “Today (after the first match) was a leap in our serving and passing. The passing is coming along better which helps our hitting.”

Ava Gehrking is the team’s top attacker this season, but coach Barrick has also seen growth from second-year starter Olivia Debevec.

“Olivia has much more strength this season in her second year as a starter and also has a lot more awareness.”

Here is a look at some other area action from the week.

Montezuma Quad

MONTEZUMA — HLV-TC, Montezuma and Williamsburg all competed in a quad Tuesday at Montezuma.

Williamsburg went 3-0, Montezuma 2-1 and HLV-TC 0-3.

These were the first matches of the season for the Warriors.

The match with Montezuma went the full three sets, with the Bravettes taking the set 15-12.

Sydnee Burgess totaled nine kills for the Bravettes, while Nicole Gensley led the Warriors with eight.

BGM moves to 3-0

BROOKLYN — This time around, the win counts toward conference record in South Iowa Cedar League play.

BGM topped Lynnville-Sully for the second-straight week, winning in three sets over the Hawks.

Mya Beck led the Bears with seven kills; six players had four or more.

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Comet Round Robin

CONRAD — Belle Plaine competed in a six-team round robin tournament Saturday at BCLUW.

The Plainsmen started the day off facing Class 1A No. 8 BCLUW, falling in straight sets (16-21, 6-21).

The team also dropped its other four matches on the day to Iowa Falls-Alden, Benton Community, South Tama and Montezuma.

The Bravettes went 2-3 on the day, winning in straight sets versus the Plainsmen and South Tama.

In the two set win over South Tama, the Bravettes totaled nine kills and six aces.

Vinton-Shellsburg Tournament

VINTON — Iowa Valley went 0-5 in Vinton Saturday to mostly larger class schools. The lone 1A school, Janesville, is ranked fourth in the class.

The Tigers fell in straight sets to all five opponents — Vinton-Shellsburg, Nevada, Janesville, West Delaware and Cedar Rapids Jefferson.

Through nine matches this season, Clara Fry leads the team in kills, with 25. Olyvia Grant has been the team’s leading setter with 48 assists.

North Tama Tourney

TRAER — HLV-TC picked up its first win of the season Saturday at North Tama, going 1-3.

The Warriors defeated AGWSR in three-sets, 23-25, 25-20, 15-13.

The team totaled 24 kills in the match win.

Through seven matches, Nicole Gensley leads the team in kills with 23. All-SICL setter Erilea Kupka has 63 assists.