SEC volleyball competes at Grinnell

GRINNELL — Union area big school volleyball is officially in full swing.

Mt. Pleasant, Washington and Fairfield all traveled to Grinnell over the weekend to compete in the Grinnell Tournament.

It was an eventful Saturday afternoon for the three squads and by the end of the tournament Fairfield sported a 2-1 overall record, while Washington and Mt. Pleasant both went 2-3.

The Trojans picked up a pair of wins against East Marshall and Washington. Fairfield defeated West Marshall in two sets with victories of 21-11 and 21-6. Against Washington, the Trojans won a close 2-1 match. Fairfield won the first set 22-20, fell in the second 21-16, but won the third 15-10.

Washington got some payback on the Trojans in a second meeting though as the two went yet another three sets. Fairfield won the first 21-15, but dropped two straight 21-11 and 15-8. The bracket play loss knocked the Trojans out of the tournament.

The Demons second win came against East Marshall as well. The Demons downed the Mustangs in three sets, winning the first 21-16, while falling in the second 21-15. Washington bounced back to win the third 16-14.

Washington’s two other loss came from host Grinnell in three sets and South Tama in the Silver Championship.

The Demons won the first set to Grinnell 24-22, but lost two straight, 21-16 and 15-12. Against South Tama, Washington loss a straight pair 21-14 and 21-17.

As for Mt. Pleasant, the Panthers won their first two game in straight sets. They defeated Lynnville-Sully and Iowa Valley in straight sets.

The Panthers defeated Lynnville-Sully 21-12 and 21-15 and followed that with 21-11 and 21-16 victories over Iowa Valley.

In the next two matches, Mt. Pleasant was defeated in two sets. The Panthers lost to both Carlisle (21-5, 21-18) and Dallas Center-Grimes (21-15, 21-12).

The final match of the tournament for the Panthers was a rematch against Iowa Valley. In the second meeting between the two teams, it was the Tigers getting the better of the Panthers. Iowa Valley ended Mt. Pleasant’s run in another three set battle. Mt. Pleasant fell in the first set, 21-17, won the second 21-17 and lost the third 15-12.

All three squads will be back in action on Tuesday.

Mt. Pleasant and Fairfield will square off with one another in Mt. Pleasant. Washington will take on Burlington on the road.