North Mahaska’s undefeated season came to an end Saturday in the finals of the North Mahaska Invitational volleyball tourney, but the loss came to Class 2A No. 11 Pella Christian. North Mahaska is 12-1 on the season.
North Mahaska topped South Iowa Cedar League rival Lynnville-Sully, 21-8, 21-11; two days after sweeping the Hawks in three sets. The Warhawks then faced Class 4A Newton going three sets before winning 15-21, 21-19, 15-10. In the pool finals NM defeated another SICL team in HLV, 21-19, 22-20.
In the finals, North Mahaska could never get traction against the tall and powerful Pella Christian Eagles. Pella Christian hit seven service aces in the two sets while the Warhawks had just two.
“I thought we could have put up a better fight than we did,” said NM coach Grace Cesera. “If we could have passed better. We had trouble getting the ball to our middles and they are a good team and took advantage.”
NM senior Regan Grewe led the team on the day with 20 kills, three service aces and eight digs. Nataliya Linder had 14 kills and three blocks. Sydney Andersen and Abby Van Weelden put down eight kills apiece. NM recorded 13 services aces on the day with Andersen and Kayla Readshaw adding three each, and Carly Lake and Van Weelden with two each.
RD Keep/North Mahaska Communications
Breckyn Schilling squeezes a ball through the arms of Pella Christian’s Brynn Roozeboom (14) and Addison Bandstra in the finals of the NM Invitational. No. 11 PC won the match 2-0.
Overall, Cesera was pleased with the team’s effort.
“The day was great,” said Cesera. “We beat Lynnville-Sully, then played a tough Newton, who is Class 4A, the beat HLV in the semis. I told the girls that we need to play this kind of competition now than waiting to the playoffs.”