WACO sweeps Pekin in North volleyball clash

WAYLAND — WACO and Pekin went toe-to-toe in a Southeast Iowa Super Conference volleyball clash on Thursday, and it was the Warriors who won the night.

WACO stayed unbeaten in SEISC North play with a three set win over the Panthers, taking it 25-11, 25-2, 25-8.

“I think it's just having a really talented group of girls who have played a tremendous amount of volleyball together,” said WACO head coach Jay Coble, who’s team is now 4-0 in the North. “We're very fortunate that we have a deep team, so our practices are intense.”

The biggest moment of the night happened when WACO junior Marie Farmer served an incredible 23 points in a row in the second set. Farmer collected three aces as she build a 23-0 lead that was eventually ended on WACO kill attempt that sailed over the back line.

“It was really fun for me, and really it just takes a good mental focus and the help of my teammates to do it,” Farmer said. “I just keep my focus and served.”

It was a 14-kill night for Ellah Kissell, who led the WACO attack. Emma Wagler had seven kills, and Farmer finished with six. Jocelyn Fulton collected 11 digs.

Grace Coble dished out 28 assists in the win, and after the match, she talked about the hot start to the season for WACO, which now sits 14-1 after winning the Cardinal tournament on Saturday.

“I think it's just playing our own game, and no matter who's on the other side of the net, just keeping our focus,” she said. “I think it's going really well and our chemistry has gotten better since Day 1.”

Pekin’s Kyli Fitzsimmons finished with four kills. Kayse Miller had two kills and 10 digs, and Claire Roth ended with eight digs.

It’s been an eventful week for the Panthers. Former assistant coach Jordan Mohs has taken over the head coaching helm after the departure of former head coach Rusty Crabtree on Sept. 6.

After the game, Coach Mohs talked about the challenge of playing the red-hot Warriors.

“WACO is a great team with a great coach,” Mohs said. “They're probably the best team we've played all season, and our girls have had a lot of change in the last two weeks. We're going to have to learn how to play defense against a faster-paced team.”

Pekin is now 2-10 overall and 2-3 in North Division play.