March 29, 2024

Roadrunners move to 6-8 for season

The Interstate 35 volleyball team swept a Pride of Iowa Conference triangular at home on Sept. 16 to improve to 6-7 for the season, but then fell Sept. 17 at Martensdale-St. Marys.

The Roadrunners dropped the first set of the night to Pleasantville in the home triangular, 25-22, but bounced back to take the next two sets by scores of 25-20 and 15-12.

“We played well against a tough Pleasantville team,” head coach Mallory Peterson said. “We were able to play solid defense against their strong hitter (Augusta Sinclair). Our defense continues to improve and with that, we are able to attack well. Brooke Brommel did a great job at the net for us, getting touches on the hits.”

Jenna Sandquist recorded seven kills in the match, while Rachel Flickinger added six. Slye Richardson contributed five, as Haley Bean and Brooke Brommel each finished with three kills.

Bean also set 16 assists for the Roadrunners. Brommel finished with a team-high six digs and five total blocks, while also serving 12-of-13 with two aces. Sandquist served 13-of-13 with two aces, while Hanna Bryant finished 9-of-10 with a pair of aces.

The Roadrunners also defeated Mount Ayr, 25-19, 26-24.

“Mount Ayr is a good blocking team,” Peterson said. “At first, that got to us and we weren’t quite sure where we needed to be as far as covering our hitters. Once we got back in system, we played well. Consistency seemed to be our battle this match, as the second game was back and forth until the end.”

Sandquist put down seven kills to lead the team, and Richardson added six. Brommel finished with three kills, four digs and two total blocks.

Flickinger served 12-of-13 with two aces and Bryant finished 9-of-9 with two aces. Sandquist served 9-of-9 with one ace. Bean set 20 assists in the win.

On Sept. 17, Interstate 35 dropped a tough conference road loss at Martensdale-St. Marys, 25-19, 23-25, 25-11, 25-18.

“They are a very solid, scrappy team,” Peterson said. “It seemed no matter what we threw at them, nothing would hit the floor. Once that happened, we deflated a bit. In the second game we came back from a huge deficit to win, but couldn’t keep the momentum. We have to be able to bounce back from losing long rallies.”

Sandquist finished with a team-high eight kills in the loss, followed by Richardson with six, Brommel with five and Flickinger with four. Bean set 18 assists in the loss.

Sandquist also led the team in digs with eight, as Richardson added six.

Freshman Riley Morris served 19-of-19 with six aces in the loss. Richardson served 12-of-12 with two aces and Flickinger served 15-of-16 with four aces. Brommel also finished with two aces.

Brommel recorded five solo blocks, while Flickinger finished with four total blocks.

The Roadrunners return to action Monday at Saydel.