Demons struggle in four-set loss at Keokuk

Washington head volleyball coach Jeff Spenner said he felt his team wasn?t ready for Monday?s Southeast Conference match in Keokuk, and it showed as the Demons lost to the host Chiefs in four sets. Keokuk won by scores of 25-10, 25-20, 19-25 and 25-22.

?We weren?t ready to play,? Spenner said. ?We lost 25-10 the first game.?

The Demons originally traveled to Keokuk on Thursday night, but the match was postponed when a Washington player had a medical emergency on the trip to Keokuk. And when the two teams got back together last night, the Demons weren?t sharp.

?I thought our hitting was pretty good,? Spenner said. ?We served really well, too, and only had three misses on the night. It was in our serve receive and digging that we struggled.?

Senior Beth Dillon and junior Stephanie Fishback spiked down 10 kills apiece to lead the Demons, and senior Sammy Ellingson added seven kills. Senior Lauren Kimball dished out 33 assists.

Ellingson went 10-for-10 from the service line with three aces. Kimball was a perfect 16-for-16 serving, and Dillon was 12-for-12.

Dillon had a team-high 18 digs to go with three blocks, and Ellingson had 17 digs. Sophomore Lauren Swan totaled 15 digs, and Kimball had 14. Fishback and junior Maddie Collins chipped in 11 digs apiece.

Washington (12-15, 1-6 SEC) swept Keokuk when the two teams met on Sept. 11 in Washington.

?They hit really well,? Spenner said of the Chiefs. ?It just seemed like we could not stop their two middles.?

The Demons host Fort Madison tonight for their regular-season finale and final league match. It will be Senior Night for Kimball, Ellingson, Dillon and the injured Johannah Vittetoe.

Then the Demons will travel to Tiffin next Monday for a Class 4A regional quarterfinal match against Clear Creek-Amana.

?Tonight we need to build for next Monday,? Spenner said.