North Mahaska Communications/RD Keep photo Kayla Readshaw jumps on her serve in the first game against Moravia. Readshaw scored nine aces to help North Mahaska to a three-set win Monday.
Kayla Readshaw was on fire Monday night. The North Mahaska senior scored nine service aces in the first game and accounted for 12 first serve points as the Warhawks swept Moravia, 25-14, 25-9, 25-14. She finished with 10 aces on the night.
It was the first contested match of the season for both clubs. Readshaw opened the game serving five consecutive aces. He would add four more late in the match. She also helped set up several other points during the match. In her rounds of service scores were 5-1 in the opener, 6-1 in the second game and 1-1 to begin the third. She also served up the final two points in game two.
“She has a lot of energy,” said first year coach Grace Ceresa. “That’s one of the reasons she is our starting setter right now. She brings a lot of energy to the court and on top of that she can serve well. I was giving her zones, and she was hitting them.”
North Mahaska jumped out to a 5-1 lead but saw Moravia come back to within two points at 9-7 but the Warhawks powered their way back. Leading 14-10, Readshaw’s aces helped NM to a 21-11 lead. Ally Livezey added another ace and mis hit by Moravia gave NM the win in game one.
Moravia’s Jaime Seif is no match for North Mahaska’s Kieren Perez (14) and Breckyn Schilling (12).
The visiting Mohawks never gained traction in game two as NM cruised. Coach Cesera used different lineups in game three as the Warhawks pulled away and took advantage of Moravia hitting errors.
Ceresa’s front line provided a big boost and won most of the long volleys on the night with their tenacity.
“They are really good,” said Ceresa. “We have been preaching in practice to always be ready keep your knees bent. If you saw me get mad it was not because of an error, it was because they weren’t ready to go.”
Regan Grewe led in kills with 11 and recorded eight digs. Natalya Linder and Abby Van Weelden with five each. Van Weelden recorded three blocks. Gracie DeGeest led in digs with 11.
North Mahaska. 1-0, will travel to Albia on Saturday for their tournament.