Lady Patriots stop Tigers

Ipswich came up short on the final score board in a high school volleyball match vs. Hitchcock-Tulare last Thursday in the Tiger Den.

But there were some positives, especially in the third set, where the visitors salvaged a 25-23 victory after Ipswich had scored three straight points to climb to within two points at 23-21. But the Patriots would quickly regroup with two points of their own to seal the deal.

Ipswich had trailed 25-17 in the first set and also would fall behind 25-6 in the second set.

But the Tigers were led by Marley Guthmiller in attacking the net with her 11 hits that featured seven kills. And Kaylin Onken was next with five accurate hits that would include a pair of kills. They were 25-34 as a team with 16 kills. But the Patriots were 59-74 there and included 28 kills. Katelyn Schroeder was 15-18 with seven kills and Ella Johnson 18-24 with six kills. Next would be Rebecca Huizenga at 9-10, 6.

The Patriots landed 62 serves including eight aces, led by Ella Johnson with her 15-17 four aces evening. Ipswich finished 42-46 with five aces. Natalie Crissman went 14-14 with two aces and Gracyn Kadlec was next at 4-4 with one ace.

Ipswich was 89-90 in setting with 16 assists paced by Reaghan Bowers at 47-47 with 11 assists. Josie Knutson added a 24-24 effort and she included four assists. Meanwhile the visitors distributed 67 sets with 25 assists.

The Tigers would come up with 26 digs led by Brianna Geditz and Bowers with five apiece. But the Patriots recorded 29 digs. Guthmiller added one solo block for the Tigers that night.

The Tigers hosted Leola/Frederick Area on Monday and Tuesday traveled to play Aberdeen Christian. The Tigers host Herreid/Selby Area on Monday, Oct. 23 and finish the regular season on Tuesday, Oct. 24 in Roscoe against North Central.