After a Homecoming loss snapped an eight-match win streak, the West Prairie High School volleyball squad returned to its winning way this week with a pair of victories.
That included Thursday’s 25-14, 25-23 victory over visiting Payson-Seymour.
“I think one thing the girls have done a really nice job with is finding ways to overcome adversity,” said West Prairie coach Drew Snyder. “They’re not getting frazzled. They’re not getting overwhelmed by moments when the games are close.”
“We’re so used to playing in some of these close games now,” he added. “If it goes three, we’re used to it. If it’s a close game at the end of a set, we’re used to it.”
Defense played a key role for the team’s victory on Wednesday night.
“Our digging was phenomenal,” said Snyder. “Everyone in the back row was outstanding.”
And the players up front did their job as well.
“We were really active on top of the net,” said Snyder. “I thought (Payton) McGrew and Ashlynn Kelley were really sharp as was Madison Adams shutting down some of the lefts.”
“I thought it was a really good job slowing down (Payson-Seymour’s) stuff,” he added. “It made them alter their game plan.They did a lot more tips and roll shots and we were able to execute some in transition. That was really good to see.”
Stats for the Cyclones included the following: Madison McClure – 19 digs, six service points, including 3 aces Lilly Sheffler – 9 digs Niah Zimmerman – 7 digs, 11 service points with 2 aces and 3 kills Alyvia Barkley – 6 digs and 5 kills Madison Adams – 2.5 blocks and 3 kills Payton McGrew – 2 blocks and 2 kills Josie Hodges – 10 service points with 3 aces and 17 set assists Ashlynn Kelley – 4 kills The Cyclones opened their week with a hard-fought 25-20, 26-28, 25-23 victory at Mendon Unity.
Stats for the Cyclones included the following: Hodges – 26 set assists and six digs Zimmerman – 13 kills and 8 digs Kelley – 6 kills, 2 service aces Barkley – 6 kills, 2 service aces and 5 digs McGrew – 4 kills Adams – 4 kills Sheffler – 2 service aces It was a nice rebound victory after losing at home to Camp Point Central 25-23, 21-25, 25-22 on Sept. 24.
Stats for the Cyclones included the following: Hodges – 19 set assists and 8 service points Niah Zimmerman – 8 kills and 12 digs Barkley – 5 kills and 10 digs Kelley – 4 kills and 8 service points McGrew – 4 kills McClure – 14 digs and 7 service points The Cyclones are now 15-7 on the season as they head to Riverton Friday and Saturday to play in the Fall Classic.
West Prairie opens play at 5 p.m. against Champaign Centennial before facing Peoria High at 7 p.m.
The team will wrap up pool play Saturday morning against Payson-Seymour before playing one final placement/ bracket game after.
The Cyclones then return to action Oct. 7 playing at Southeastern.
“We’re just in a pretty good zone right now and I’m really proud of the way they’re fighting and battling every night,” said Snyder.
