Cardinals move record to 14-7

The Garner-Hayfield/Ventura volleyball team moved their record to 14-7 after a busy week on the court.

GHV 3, West Hancock 0

GHV 3, Eagle Grove 0

Thursday, Sept. 22, was a good night for the GHV volleyball team as they shut-out two conference foes.

“Tonight wasn’t our smoothest and cleanest volleyball, but the girls found a way to battle and finish both matches in three,” said Coach Kelsey Steffens.

West Hancock gave the Cardinals a good battle, but didn’t have enough in the end to defeat GHV.  The tight games were all in GHV’s favor with scores of 25-20, 25-21 and 25-19.

Mackenzie Van Gerpen led the team with 11 kills, eight digs, and three ace serves.  Emily Spilman also had success against West Hancock, collecting nine kills and two digs.  Mallory Van Oort led the defense with 15 digs, and two assists.  Sydney Younge had 23 assists, one ace serve and two digs.  Carlie Knutson picked up six digs, three assists, three kills and two ace serves.

Eagle Grove also battled hard and gave the Cardinals a run for the money.  GHV won all three matches with scores of 25-21, 25-18 and 25-20.

Van Gerpen once again led the team with a whopping 16 kills.  She also contributed six digs and one ace serve.  Madee Hejna also had a good game, with seven kills and six digs.  Spilman had six kills, one ace serve and seven digs.  Van Oort contributed 14 digs and Younge had 24 assists.

“These girls come to every practice ready to learn and improve their game,” said Steffens.  “I am blessed to work with such a dedicated group of athletes.”

Forest City 3, GHV 0

The GHV volleyball team got off to a slow start against Forest City on Thursday, Sept. 25, and despite some good adjustments in the second two games, just couldn’t manage a win against the Indians.

Forest City won all three games with scores of 25-13, 25-22 and 25-20.

“Forest City’s offense kept us from getting on a run,” said Coach Kelsey Steffens.  “Despite losing in three, the girls made the needed adjustments to battle in games two and three.”

Hannah Lau was back in action for the Cardinals after being out with an injury.  Lau and Mackenzie Van Gerpen led the offense with nine kills apiece.  Emily Spilman contributed five kills.

Van Gerpen also led the defense with nine digs, followed by Mallory Van Oort with eight, and Madee Hejna and Sydney Younge with seven and six digs respectively.

Younge led the team in assists with 19.  

Six players served perfect games: Spilman, Lau, Van Gerpen, Hejna, Van Oort and Younge.  Younge collected six points on serve, while Van Gerpen and Van Oort each had five points on serve.

Bishop Garrigan Tournament

It was a successful day for the GHV girls, picking up four wins and a third place finish at the Bishop Garrigan Tournament on Saturday, Sept. 27.

The Cardinals swept Eagle Grove with scores of 21-16 and 21-13.  It took three games for GHV to defeat North Iowa.  They dropped the first match, 27-25, and won the next two, 21-7 and 16-14.  The Cardinals beat the host team, Bishop Garrigan, in two games, 21-19 and 21-19.  GHV also swept Clarion Goldfield, 21-19 and 21-14.

Two teams topped the Cardinals.  Lake Mills beat GHV in two games, but not without a fight.  The Bulldogs easily won the first match, 21-7, but the Cardinals fought hard in the second match and only lost by two, 22-20.  Manson Northwest Webster swept the Cardinals in two, 23-21 and 21-9.

“Our offense is continuing to get stronger.  Two areas that we need to focus on are starting games off strong and passing.  We are able to run a quick offense when our pass is on target,” said Coach Kelsey Steffens.

Leaders for the day included Mackenzie Van Gerpen with 60 kills and 18 digs.  Emily Spilman also displayed a balanced performance with 28 kills and 12 digs for the day.  Hannah Lau contributed 42 kills, while Mallory Van Oort had 26 digs and Sydney Younge contributed 86 digs.  Leaders at the service line were Van Oort with six ace serves, Lau had four and Madee Hejna connected on three aces.

The Cardinals compete in the conference tournament on Saturday, Oct. 4, and Monday, Oct. 6, at Newman Catholic.  Play begins on Saturday at 9 a.m. and the semi-finals and finals begin at 6 p.m. on Monday.