Pekin volleyball takes down Highland

Pekin volleyball marched into Highland High School having lost its last six matchups against the Huskies. The Panthers reversed that trend Tuesday with a 3-1 (25-17, 19-25, 26-24, 25-19) victory over their Southeast Iowa Super Conference North foe.

The Panthers (3-7, 1-2 SEISC North) captured their third victory of the season by riding the momentum of a close third set into the fourth set. The Panthers bounced back from a 16-13 deficit in the middle of the third to tie it at 19. Katelynn Schultz later added a kill to tie the match at 23. Carlie Gambell finished the match with a pair of service aces, including one to make it 24-23 Pekin.

Pekin eventually closed out the third set and weathered a 6-0 Highland run in the middle of the fourth with an 8-2 run of its own. The Panthers were able to carry that momentum to a road victory.

“We just kind of talked about not letting them get so many points in a row and get in a hole,” Pekin coach Jordan Mohs said. “Once we were staying ahead and obviously having that energy and going after the ball, just having a lot of effort, that was going to win us the match. They never gave up, which I was really proud of.”

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Taylor Moore led the Panthers with 14 kills having entered Tuesdays match with 21 total kills this season. Junior Paislee Coleman added eight kills. Gambell racked up 25 assists along with her two aces.

Highland had several bright moments despite the loss, particularly in the second set. The Huskies started out on a 5-0 run, and outscored Pekin 10-4 to close out the set.

The Huskies (3-12, 1-2 SEISC North) continue conference play against fellow Union area side WACO on Thursday. The match is set for 7:30 p.m. at WACO High School.

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Pekin will also face a Union area side in its next conference game. The Panthers will take on Hillcrest Academy at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Pekin High School.

Other Union Area small school volleyball teams were also in action. Here’s a look at results from Tuesday’s matchups.

Louisa-Muscatine 3, Hillcrest 2

The Ravens lost a thriller Thursday to SEISC North play opponent Louisa-Muscatine 3-2 (25-14, 25-27, 25-27, 25-15, 14-16). Despite winning its two sets in dominate fashion, the Ravens were unable to win their second fifth set of the season.

Hillcrest (9-4, 2-1 SEISC North) will look to rebound against Pekin on Thursday.

Columbus 3, WACO 0

Despite Columbus’ 5-9 record, the Wildcats have captured four of those wins in against SEISC North opponents and rank No. 2 in the conference standings. The Wildcats picked up their latest win against WACO 3-0 (25-5, 25-12, 25-15) on Tuesday.

Jessica Del Rio and Kennedy Woepking led the way with seven kills each. Hailey Wellington added six and Daniela Diaz racked up 17 assists. Del Rio also chipped in four aces.

Columbus will take on Wapello in its next match at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. WACO (3-12, 0-3 SEISC North) will play host to Highland.

Wapello 3, Winfield-Mt Union 0

Winfield-Mt Union took its first loss in SEISC North play 3-0 (23-25, 16-25, 18-25) to Wapello. Despite the defeat, Kellee Milks had a team-high six kills. Madisen Kellogg had 16 assists.

The Wolves (8-5, 2-1 SEISC North) are off until SEISC Tournament pool play begins on Sept. 25.

Van Buren County 3, West Burlington 2

In SEISC South play, VBC picked up a five-set win over West Burlington. The Warriors overturned a 2-1 deficit and took the final two sets to gut out a 3-2 (23-25, 25-20, 17-25, 25-21, 16-14) win.

VBC (10-7, 2-1 SEISC South) has won three of its last four matches. The Warriors have an opportunity to improve to 3-1 in conference play Thursday when it takes on Central Lee.

Centerville 3, Cardinal 0

Cardinal fell 3-0 to South Central opponent Centerville on Tuesday. The Comets (1-10, 0-2 SCC) are still in search of their first conference win this season.

The Comets will play host to Highland, Hillcrest, Louisa-Muscatine, Moulton-Udell and Pekin for its invitational on Saturday. They are currently slated to play Highland and Louisa-Muscatine.

New London’s score against Danville was not reported prior to press time. The Tigers next face Holy Trinity Catholic Fort Madison on Thursday.