Even without its setter, IMS pushes Pekin to five sets

Even after losing all-conference setter Casey Perez to a knee injury in the first set of Tuesday?s Southeast Iowa Super Conference North Division match against visiting Pekin, IMS took the Panthers to five sets before falling. Pekin won by scores of 31-29, 22-25, 25-15, 20-25 and 15-12.

?I have never been more proud of my team than tonight,? IMS head coach Cindy Miller said. ?On the second point in the first game Casey Perez, our setter and floor leader, felt her knee snap. We had no choice but to come up with a new lineup that did not include Casey on the floor. But what was so impressive was that no one gave up at that point. Even though we fell short by three points in Game 5, this match was all heart and determined hustle. I have not ever felt so positive about a loss, especially going into [the regional] tournament next week.?

In Perez?s absence, sophomore Hannah Miller stepped up to dish out 15 assists, while sophomore Demi Brezina added six and senior Keilah Brokaw had four. Junior Olivia Yutzy had 22 kills in the match, and senior Laura Hochstetler added six. Hochstetler was also 23-for-23 serving with six aces, while Brezina and junior Kristin Davis added three aces apiece. Hochstetler came up with a team-high 21 digs. Davis added 15, and senior Naomi Miller had 14.

With the loss, IMS (18-14 overall) finished fourth in the conference with a 6-3 mark. IMS opens regional play on Tuesday when it travels to Lone Tree.