IMS opens season at Fairfield

The Iowa Mennonite volleyball team opened its season at the Fairfield quadrangular on Thursday night, and came away with a 1-2 record to start the year.

IMS took on No. 5 ranked Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont in the first match of the year and fell in the first set 25-9. IMS fell by the same score in the second set, but head coach Shannon Miller said she was pleased with the level of play her team played with in the second set.

In the second match of the day, IMS took on Albia, and was able to pick up the first win of the season.

A 25-17 first set victory led to a 25-16 victory to close out the match, helped by a pair of aces from Natalie Graber late in the match. Rachel Miller had 16 digs as IMS? libero in the match.

IMS then took on Fairfield in the closing match of the night, and fell to the Trojans 25-11, 25-11 in straight sets.

?We knew coming into this match, with it being the last competition of the evening and against the home team, we would have to focus on what we can control on our side of the net,? Shannon Miller said. ?This particular match was a good test of our mental toughness, which is a high practice priority for the team this season.?

Jess Bender led the team with nine kills and four blocks on the night, while Alijah Beatty had a good night as the setter, picking up 19 assists.

Rachel Miller finished the night with 18 digs.

IMS will take on Louisa-Muscatine on Thursday for its next match.