Cardinals dominate on the court

The Garner-Hayfield/Ventura volleyball team has hit the court at full steam, knocking off West Hancock and Clarion-Goldfield last week.

GHV 3, West Hancock 0

The Cardinals dominated the Eagles in a conference match-up played Tuesday, Sept. 3.

GHV rolled in the first set, 25-5.  West Hancock regrouped a bit in the next two sets, but still fell, 25-18 and 25-17.

“It was great to start the season off with a conference win,” said first year Head Coach Kelsey Steffens.  “Serving was our strength, having 15 ace serves.”

Emily Mathews and Rachel Formanek led the serving attack, with four ace serves apiece.  Mallory Van Oort, Miranda Frederick and Shelby Rayhons each had two ace serves.  

Mathews and Rayhons also had a very good nights at the net.  Mathews had nine kills on 15 attempts and Rayhons was 7/15.  Emily Spliman had four kills.

“We will continue to work on our passing and coverage of hitters,” said Steffens.

Courtney Younge led the team with 20 assists. Mathews led the team in digs with five.

GHV 3, C-G 1

GHV had to fight a little harder against Clarion-Goldfield, but the outcome was the same, with the Cardinals winning three of the four matches.

“We ran a great offense in games one and two,” said Coach Kelsey Steffens.

That was evident, with the Cards recording a 25-16 win in the first game and rolling over C-G, 25-6 in the second game.

Clarion-Goldfield rallied in the third game and and picked up a 25-16 victory.

“We struggled with our serve in game three,” said Steffens.

GHV pulled together in game four and behind some strong serving by Miranda Frederick, captured the 25-20 win.

Emily Mathews had a stellar night, leading in most of the categories.  She recorded 17 kills on 35 attempts.  At the service line, she recorded three ace serves.  She also had two blocks and 12 digs.

Serving leaders included Sydney Younge, who served a perfect game with one ace on 13 attempts.  Mallory Van Ort had four ace serves on 17 attempts and Courtney Younge had three ace serves on 18 attempts.

Hitting leaders included Emily Spilman, who was 7/18, and Rayhons who was 7/27.

Courtney Younge had 29 assists and five digs for the team, while Frederick contributed 10 digs.  Rayhons and Van Oort had six digs apiece.