Oskaloosa Seventh-Grade Volleyball Opens Season With Wins Over Knoxville

Oskaloosa’s seventh-grade volleyball teams opened their season with winning performances against Knoxville, using strong serving and improving teamwork to find success across all four groups.

Aurora Carmer, Paisley Bennett, Gabby Larson and Olivia Baines each recorded six aces during the opening night.

Coaches Pierson and Moorman said the players became more confident as the evening progressed, improving their communication and learning to work together through each play.

The A1 team defeated Knoxville in two sets while adjusting to a new 6–2 rotation. Paisley Doud, Willow Hahn-Lefler and Alivia Johnson each finished with two kills, while Alizah VanWyk added one.

Setters Emilia Stewart and Aubrey Vance helped create opportunities for the hitters. The coaches highlighted the team’s progress in connecting passes, sets and attacks as players became more comfortable with the rotation.

A2 also earned two wins over Knoxville. Addi Sille, Megan Lobe, Ava Kenney, Harper De De Bruin, Marlee Corbett and Loryce Lammers all contributed from the serving line, with most of that group recording at least one ace.

The coaches said A2’s confidence and communication improved throughout its matches. Players also began building more complete offensive plays by passing to a setter and setting up an attack.

B1 rallied after a close opening-set loss to win its match in three sets. Knoxville took the first set 23-21, but Oskaloosa answered with a 21-12 victory before winning the deciding set 15-13.

Pierson and Moorman credited the players with staying together after the early setback. They said stronger communication, encouragement and adjustments helped the team complete the comeback.

B2 won its first two sets by identical 21-19 scores. The coaches praised the group’s hustle and growing court awareness as players worked to keep rallies alive and support one another.

Across the four teams, the coaching staff saw progress in handling unfamiliar situations, trusting teammates and competing through the final point.

Oskaloosa’s teams head on the road Monday for their first away matches. A1 and A2 will travel to Pella Christian, while B1 and B2 will play at Oskaloosa Christian.