EBF Rockets Battle Back to Win Consolation Bracket at West Branch Tournament
WEST BRANCH, Iowa — The Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont volleyball team turned a difficult morning into a strong finish Saturday, Aug. 29, battling through five matches and winning the consolation bracket at the West Branch Tournament.
The Rockets went 2-3 on the day, but their final record did not tell the entire story. After dropping their first three matches, EBF responded with back-to-back three-set victories, including a win over a Davenport North team that had defeated the Rockets earlier in the tournament.
EBF opened pool play against host West Branch, falling 21-11 and 21-9.
The Rockets then faced Davenport North for the first time. EBF nearly took the opening set before falling 22-20. The Rockets responded with a 21-19 victory in the second set, sending the match to a deciding third set. Davenport North prevailed 15-10.
EBF closed its morning pool play against Marian, falling 21-12 and 21-10.
The Rockets found another gear once consolation bracket play began.
EBF faced Prince of Peace and opened with a 25-18 victory. Prince of Peace answered with a 25-13 win in the second set, but the Rockets controlled the deciding set, 15-7, to advance.
That gave EBF another opportunity against Davenport North in the consolation bracket final.
This time, the Rockets turned the result around.
EBF won the opening set 25-19 before Davenport North survived a tight second set, 27-25. With the consolation championship on the line, EBF finished the day with a 15-12 victory in the third set.
For Rockets head coach Gladys Genskow, the difference between the morning and afternoon sessions showed what her team is capable of doing when everything begins coming together.
“The Rockets were in action this weekend in West Branch,” Genskow said. “They started the morning with a solid pool of tough teams. We had a slow start, but picked up steam in the afternoon in the consolation bracket.”
EBF’s turnaround included a significant change in the team’s play and confidence.
“The team made a huge change in their play,” Genskow said. “The girls showed a lot of grit throughout the afternoon beating both their opponents to win the consolation bracket.”
Kinley Lobberecht led the Rockets offensively with 33 kills on 76-of-101 attacking. She also contributed 24 digs, five aces and four assists while going 26-for-30 from the service line.
Lindsay Akers added 21 kills on 64-of-84 attacking, while Lanie Batterson finished with 14 kills and two blocks.
Kinzey Lobberecht turned in another strong all-around performance. She recorded 13 kills, 21 digs, seven aces, two assists and two blocks.
Andrea Genskow ran the EBF offense with 74 assists over the five matches. She also recorded 25 digs, three kills, two aces and a block.
The Rockets received plenty of work from their back row as well. Layni Burch recorded a team-high 28 digs along with six aces, while Morgan Rea collected 20 digs and four aces. Gracie Long finished with 16 digs, six aces and two assists.
Kenley Albertson added five kills and a team-high four blocks.
The Rockets’ serving again proved to be an important part of their game. EBF recorded 30 aces during the tournament, led by Kinzey Lobberecht with seven. Burch and Long each added six, while Kinley Lobberecht finished with five.
For Genskow, perhaps the most encouraging result was seeing EBF respond after a difficult start and then defeat a team that had already beaten the Rockets earlier in the day.
“We stepped up our game from the morning bracket and it paid off with wins over Davenport North, who we had played earlier in pool play and Prince of Peace,” Genskow said. “The girls were excited to get some wins under their belt along with gaining confidence in their skills.”
The tournament gave EBF five matches worth of experience early in the season and showed the Rockets can respond when things are not going their way.
“These girls have a lot of ability to play good volleyball,” Genskow said.
EBF now turns its attention toward its home court.
“We are looking to put it all together this Tuesday when we host Cardinal at EBF for Parent’s Night,” Genskow said.
The Rockets will carry some momentum into that match after finishing a long tournament day with two straight victories and a consolation bracket championship.
