Winfield-Mount Union volleyball runs past Highland

WINFIELD — With just six returning starters from a senior-led 2020 squad, the defending Southeast Iowa Super Conference North Division champion Winfield-Mount Union volleyball team could very well be in a rebuilding year. Nobody told that to the Wolves.

Even without second-leading hitter Melina Oepping in the lineup, WMU swept North Division rival Highland Thursday, defeating the Huskies 25-16, 25-16, 25-15.

“It's maybe a hidden secret that they got over shadowed a bit by the seniors last year,” said Wolves head coach David Pieart. “Everybody has stepped up to fulfill a role this year.”

The Wolves didn’t trail in either of the first two sets. WMU cruised out to early leads and laid the hammer down over and over on the visiting Huskies.

Highland’s only lead of the night was 1-0 in the third set when Jalynn Brown kicked the set off with a kill. Two points later, WMU was back on top.

“We've been missing quite a few people, so we've had to switch up a lot of things,” WMU setter Keely Malone said. “I think we've adjusted well.”

Malone dished out 28 assists and also had six kills. Junior teammates Keetyn Townsley and Bradie Buffington tallied 11 kills apiece, making it a solid night for the Class of 2023 despite Oepping’s absence.

“We've been playing together since as long as I can remember,” Malone said. “Last year we contributed to the team, but now we got to step up and now we're the leaders.”

“We knew coming in that this was going to be a big game, but we also knew it was a winnable game,” Highland coach Gina Trower said. “I think honestly, overall it was a loss because of our mindset.”

WMU moved to 10-4 overall and 3-1 in conference play with the win. Highland fell to 4-5 overall and 2-4 in the North Division.

No. 9 New London can’t pull off upset

BURLINGTON — It was a tall task for No. 9 New London, but the Tigers couldn’t upset No. 1 Notre Dame, losing in three sets.

The defending Class 1A champions vanquished the Tigers 25-18, 25-16, 25-10.

Natalie Burden had seven kills on the day to lead the Tigers. Elly Manning dished out eight assists. Paris Wilka had three blocks, and Emma Nye finished with 24 digs.

Keota wins thriller

NORTH ENGLISH — Keota won an absolute nail-biter, defeating English Valleys in five sets.

The Eagles won the first two sets, 26-24 and 31-29, but dropped the next couple, 25-21 and 25-17. In a fifth set that saw match point after match point, Keota finally prevailed 20-18.

Hillcrest falls on road

WAPELLO — Hillcrest Academy couldn’t get anything going in a Southeast Iowa Super Conference North Division road game. The Ravens were swept, 25-12, 25-14 and 25-8.

Mid-Prairie wins in 5

WELLMAN — Mid-Prairie won an absolute battle over Cascade, beating the Cougars in five sets (20-25, 25-22, 25-28, 21-25, 15-6).

Maya Nonnenmann had 13 kills to lead the team. Landry Pacha dished out 41 assists. Ella Groenewold ended the night with eight blocks, and Dakota Mitchell had 33 digs.

WACO wins in 4

WAYLAND — WACO bounced back from a bad first set to beat Danville in four sets, winning 17-25, 25-15, 25-23, 25-17.

Grace Coble had a big game, going for nine kills and 22 assists. Ellah Kissell tallied nine kills as well.

Pekin tops Lone Tree

PACKWOOD — Pekin won a wild fourth set to beat Lone Tree in SEISC North Division play. The Panthers were victorious 25-14, 16-25, 25-13, 30-28.

Emma Phillips had 11 kills on the night to lead the Panthers. Quinnlyn Baker finished with 13 assists and Claire Ross had 16 digs.