Ipswich hosts 8-team Subway Invitational

Ipswich was defeated in each of its three Subway volleyball tournament pool play appearances last Saturday in the Tiger Den.

The Tigers would start their tournament with a three-set 2-1 loss to Aberdeen Christian. Ipswich would fall behind 9-0 vs. the Knights before they could even get on the scoreboard in their opening match. But to their credit they bounced back to lose it 25-11. And more importantly they actually won set two 25-17 to force a third set. But this one would be eventually won by Christian 25-18 as the Tigers did lose a little of their earlier momentum.

Aberdeen Christian utilized 47 hits including 20 kills and featured 10 aces among their 61 accurate serves.

Ipswich did also lose to Herreid/Selby Area 2-0 and also sustained a 2-0 loss to Kimball/White Lake in their pool. The Tigers would then drop a seventh-place placement 2-1 outcome to North Central 15-25, 25-20 and 15-25.

"The tournament showcased numerous promising moments, shining a light on the potential of our young team," says coach Trent Osborne. "We witnessed bursts of exceptional play, though at times, maintaining momentum proved challenging-a characteristic often seen in youthful teams. Despite the ebbs and flows, their relentlessness never wavered throughout the demanding day." He added that the young team continued to show improvement with patience and optimism in a very difficult two-week period, including matches with number one rated Warner and #3 Northwestern at the time.

Versus Aberdeen Christian Ipswich had 28 kills, led by Marley Guthmiller with 11 of them. Their setting department featured 14 assists from Josie Knutson. Reaghan Bowers was next with seven assists. Ipswich had a balanced digging effort and nine aces that never would be dug out. Bowers also led that with three aces.

They next faced Herreid/Selby Area resulting in a narrow 25-21 and 25-22 loss. They were able to get 12 Guthmiller kills while Ipswich totaled 24 kills. (Gabby Wald had seven kills.) Bowers also obtained 12 set assists and Josie Knutson, six. The Tigers landed two service aces, one by Nat Crissman and the other by Guthmiller. She had one solo block and two assisted.

The Tigers were swept by Kimball/White Lake 25-14 and 25-20. In that one Guthmiller would be able to achieve seven kills and Wald was next with three kills. (Ipswich totaled 15.) Ipswich got six setting assists from Knutson and Bowers. The Tigers only had two serving aces, one from Guthmiller and the other from Jayden Stiles. The Tigers came up with 25 digs, led by Guthmiller and Brianna Geditz with five apiece.

Fast forward to their seventh-place game vs North Central which went to the third set. The Tigers were outscored in their first set 25-15 but they bounced back with a 25-20 victory. That third set would be won by the NC Thunder 25-15.

Guthmiller again led their attack at the net with 13 kills. Ipswich also received four kills from Kaylin Onken. Their attack was set up with 14 assists from Bowers and seven from Knutson. Geditz led their digging department with a dozen digs and Guthmiller was next with seven. Ipswich totaled 41 digs. Ipswich totaled six serving aces led by Onken and Geditz with two each. Crissman had two block assists.

Milbank won this event with a perfect 4-0.

The Tigers travel to Langford on Sept. 21. Then they host North Central on Monday, Sept. 25.