CL girls fold to tough competition

The challenge of competing against some of North Iowa’s best teams will hopefully pay off for the Clear Lake volleyball team down the stretch.  Last week the Lions played in a tournament hosted by Mason City and battled conference power Algona.  

The team will have a chance to make their experience pay off when they travel to Algona this Saturday, then end the regular season Tuesday, Oct. 22, at Webster City.

Mason City Tournament

The Lions went 0-6 at the Mason City Tournament Saturday.

“We gained valuable experience today playing quality teams. Unfortunately, we came up a little short,” said Coach Scott Swenson.  “We will continue to stay together as a team and fight through this adversity. The girls played with a lot of energy and effort.  We will play ourselves through this rough patch and enter tournament play on a positive note.”

Clear Lake opened play with a win in their first game against St. Ansgar, 21-19, however the Saints marched back to win the next two, 21-9, 15-4.  Bailey Kibsgaard paced the Lions with three kills and 8/8 serving.  Lindsey Loudenburg had 12 digs and two aces in the match, while Jeni Hamlin had five assists.

The Lions also started strong against host Mason City.  They captured the first game, 21-18, but dropped the next two, 21-13, 15-9.

Katie Hewett recorded five kills and eight assisted blocks in the match.  Kibsgaard had six kills and was 7/7 serving.  Madi Faber had a team high 15 digs.

Boone swept the Lions 21-13, 21-6.  The Lions were led by Kibsgaard with five kills, Kay Faber’s five assists and Madi Faber’s 11 digs.

Osage also defeated the Lions in two games, 21-9, 21-7.  Emily Phalen had two kills for the Lions.  Sam Wilkinson made three digs and Kaye Faber was 4/4 serving with one ace.

Central Springs was a 21-14, 21-17 winner.  Hewett recorded four kills and five assisted blocks in the match.  Kaye Faber finished with six assists. Hamlin had four digs and Wilkinson was 4/4 serving with one ace.

Tournament play concluded with a match against Waverly-Shell Rock.  The Go-Hawks topped the Lions 21-4, 21-14.  Kibsgaard put down three kills.  Loudenburg had nine digs and Hamlin was 4/4 serving for the Lions.

Algona 3, CL 0

North Central Conference leader Algona handed the Lions a 3-0 loss Thursday, Oct. 10.  The Bulldogs won by scores of 25-17, 25-10, 25-12.

“We played well the first