Warriors whip Savages in Round 1

WAYLAND - The WACO volleyball team entered the postseason in a bit of a slump, having lost their last three conference games of the season after starting 5-0, but in Monday's Class 1A Region 8 opener against Sigourney, the Warriors looked like their old selves.

WACO made quick work of the Savages, winning their first round game in three sets. WACO won each set in dominating fashion, taking games 25-13, 25-16 and 25-9.

'It feels like a new season,” said senior hitter Lona Farrier. 'Like we're starting fresh.”

WACO cruised in the opening set, jumping out to a 15-8 lead early and stretching that advantage to double digits when Molly McLaughlin scored back-to-back kills to give the Warriors a 22-11 lead. WACO would win the set 25-13 on a kill by Aubri Garnsey to take a 1-0 lead.

The Warriors continued to roll in the second set, though it was their only single-digit win. Farrier tallied five kills in the set and McLaughlin had one, including the game-winner.

Morgan Graber dominated the early stages of the third set. Graber spread out five kills in the Warriors' first seven points to help give WACO a 7-1 lead. The Warriors had five aces in the set, including two by Grace Coble, and the match-clincher from Garnsey.

'It was really fun, because were in a slump there for a while,” McLaughlin said. 'I think we just needed to take time to get mentally prepared, and it felt really good to get back out there.”

Graber ended the night with 12 kills. McLaughlin and Farrier each had nine. Coble dished out 34 assistsa dn led the team with three aces.

Garnsey finished the game with 21 digs and there aces. Lindsey Roth had 10 digs.

WACO (24-7) will take on North Mahaska (10-9) in the second round on Wednesday night.