NM Girls Avenge Loss
NEW SHARON – Coaches and players have long memories when a loss occurs in a game they felt they should have won. North Mahaska remembered a loss to rival Montezuma during the 2021 season Monday. They hosted the Bravettes in a South Iowa Cedar League match winning in three sets 27-25, 25-16, 25-19. The victory propelled the Warhawks into first place in the league at 3-0.
North Mahaska lost to Montezuma three times during the 2021 campaign, but the regional quarterfinal loss was the most painful. NM won the first two sets only to see the Bravettes win the final three to end NM’s season.
“Going into the third set we remembered last year when we won the first two,” said NM coach Erica Groom. “We had a lot of kills and assists tonight.”
Although the scores were close in the first set Montezuma was carrying the momentum leading 24-22 when Laila Kercheval hit an ace. After a sideout North Mahaska senior libero Jalayna Shipley and her teammates fought back forcing a Monte timeout. The teams traded sideouts and points and Abby Van Weelden served the next two points behind a Sydney Andersen kill and a misplay by Montezuma.
“That win really gave us momentum,” said Groom. “Our outside hitters really played well.”
North Mahaska slowly pulled away from the Bravettes in set two taking advantage of net or out of bounds serves on first serves. In the final set senior Libby Groom helped put the Warhawks in control with a 3-0 lead. Regan Grewe hit one of her three aces to build an 8-2 lead and they never looked back. Montezuma closed the gap to 24-19 when a Monte player went into the net.
Coach Groom cited her hitters for their work at the net.
“We had been working on our hitting and assists,” said Groom. “They have become more aggressive. I thought Kayla (Readshaw) was more aggressive tonight as well.”
North Mahaska’s talented sophomore class rose to the occasion. Andersen led in kills with 11 while Breckyn Schilling and Regan Grewe added nine and eight respectively. Schilling had the lone block for the Warhawks. Senior Caitlyn Sanders led in assists with 14 and Libby Hargis had 12.
From the service line Shipley was 16-for-16 and Grewe went 13-for-14 with three aces.
North Mahaska travels to Colfax-Mingo on Thursday and hosts their invitational on Saturday.
