Indees swat Hornets in fifth set

The Independence/Gilmanton volleyball team nearly lost a 2-0 lead, but finished with a strong fifth set to beat Alma Center Lincoln. 

The Indees won the first two sets, but the Hornets evened the match to force a fifth. I/G controlled the fifth, 15-9, to take the match.

The win put I/G at 7-14 overall and 2-4 in Dairyland Conference play. That was before Tuesday’s match at Blair-Taylor, which has been one of the top teams in the conference this season. The Indees will be in Gilmanton on Thursday to play Osseo-Fairchild. The team’s annual Tip It To Teresa Night charity event will be held that night.

I/G    25 25 24 11 15

ACL  20 23 26 25   9

The Indees almost lost a big lead, but won the fifth set to pick up a road victory.

I/G used a balanced attack at the net, led by Hadley Sylla’s 14 kills. Shauna Dejno added 11 kills and six blocks while Celia Slaby had seven kills and four blocks. Hannah Ekern and Hailey Gruber both had six kills. Harper Symicek and Danika Ekern each had one. Hannah Ekern and Symicek shared the setting duties, both registering 17 assists.

Symicek also had a big night at the service line, picking up eight aces. Sylla, Danika Ekern and Hannah Ekern all had two aces and both Joelle Schue and Yuritza Bautista Santiago had one. 

Danika Ekern had a team-high 19 digs, two more than Symicek, Hannah Ekern and Bautista Santiago both had 15, and Schue finished with 11.