Van Buren County weathers Cardinal’s storm

KEOSAUQUA — Van Buren County’s regional volleyball opener against Cardinal didn’t come without adversity, but the Warriors got the job done on Monday night.

The Warriors had to bounce back from a furious Comet rally in the second set, which had the Class 2A Region 8 opener tied at 1-1, but Van Buren County shook it off to win in four sets, taking the game 25-13, 23-25, 25-13, 25-10.

It was the 20th-straight win for Van Buren County against Cardinal, and the final game for the Warriors’ seniors on their own home floor.

“It's like a dream,” said Shea Scott, one of Van Buren County’s seniors. “It was just perfectly how we imagined it.”

Everything went according to the Warriors’ plan in the opening set. Van Buren County opened up with a 7-1 lead and Cardinal never recovered, as a five-kill set by Scott and four kills from Ivy Davidson helped the Warriors cruise to a 25-13 victory.

Cardinal’s Riley Bears had two aces in the opening set, but the Comets couldn’t consistently keep up with the hometown squad. Cardinal kept it a lot closer in the second, and with just enough time remaining, the Comets made their run.

Van Buren County led 23-18, two points away from taking a commanding 2-0 advantage in sets. The Comets scored the next point, and sophomore Emily Ward set up to serve.

Ward’s first serve went for an ace to cut Van Buren County’s lead to 23-20. She would end up serving out the rest of the set, scoring six points for the Comets, as Cardinal rallied back to win 25-23 on a Kaylyn Chapin kill.

“We just had to regroup ourselves and get ourselves back up,” said Van Buren County senior Jaelyn Boley. “We had a group talk, for everyone to just put a smile on your face and have fun out there.”

Cardinal kept the good times rolling through three points of Set 3. Sydney Pickrell served all three, including an ace to start the set. Van Buren County would stop the bleeding, though, and end the third set on a 25-10 run.

“We didn't take a time out at that point, because I know they've got it,” said Van Buren County head coach BJ Carter. “They can pull themselves together and get out of it.”

The Warriors rolled in the fourth set. Cardinal never led in the final game, and the Warriors ended the Comets’ season.

“This is our last home game,” Boley said. “It was very exciting for us to go out with a win.”

Cardinal ended its season at 4-26. Van Buren County is 12-17, and on its way to face Mediapolis (12-23) in the regional semifinals on Wednesday.