VOLLEYBALL SEASONS UNDERWAY

Volleyball teams from Freeman Academy/Marion, Freeman Public and Menno all started their 2023 seasons on the road Tuesday night, Aug. 22. The Bearcats and Flyers both played in Alexandria as part of the eight-team Hanson Early Bird Invitational while the Wolves traveled to Alcester-Hudson.

Here’s a quick closer look:

BEARCATS

Facing a Class A Platte-Geddes team that played in the 2022 State Volleyball Championships in their first game, the FA/Marion girls hung tough early but faltered late in a 2-0 loss. The Black Panthers beat the Bearcats 25-20, 25-8.

Kallie Johnson had 8 kills, Emma McConniel had 14 digs and Isabelle McConniel had 14 set assists to lead the way. Joelle Hawkey added 5 kills and Alexa Gortmaker had 2.

The Bearcats will face Sanborn Central/Woonsocket when action concludes on Thursday. That match is scheduled to start at 5:15 p.m.

FLYERS

The Freeman Public won their first match against Sanborn Central/Woonsocket on Tuesday to advance to the second round later that night, only to fall to Platte-Geddes in straight sets. The Flyers defeated Sanborn Central/Woonsocket 25-19, 25-19 and lost to the Black Panthers 25-15, 25-13.

In the first match, Ella Waltner led the way at the net with 8 kills and 2 blocks while Emily Mendel contributed 7 kills, 8 digs and 2 aces. Cami Fransen led the way with 22 set assists and 5 digs while Zenovia Butler had 4 kills, 15 digs and a block. Ashlin Jacobsen had 3 kills and 9 digs while Erica Swensen added 5 digs.

Then against Platte-Geddes, Butler led they way with 4 kills and 10 digs. Mendel had 4 kills, 6 digs and an ace while Jacobsen and Waltner both recorded a kill. Swensen had 6 digs and an ace for the Flyers.

Freeman Public will play for third place Thursday night against Avon in a match scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m.

WOLVES

Menno, meanwhile, play Alcester-Hudson tough on the road Tuesday night but fell in five sets. The Pirates beat the Wolves 16-25, 25-15, 21-25, 25-15, 15-10.

Ashton Massey had 7 kills, 4 blocks and 12 digs to lead Menno while Ellyana Ulmer had 4 kills and 16 digs. Kaelie Derby and Joslynn Fischer each and two kills, with Fischer adding 5 set assists, 10 digs and 5 aces. Taylor Freier led the team in set assists with 6. She and Derby both had 3 aces.

The Wolves travel to Centerville Thursday for their second match of the season.