The #7(2A)Aplington-Parkersburg volleyball team fell in a top eight NICL-Central conference match at #1(2A) Denver 3-0 on Tuesday, as aired on 99 The Wave. The Cyclones won by set scores of 25-13, 25-23, 25-11.
In the first set, Denver led 8-5 early and went on three different scoring runs to pull away. Set 2 was the most competitive of the match, as it featured eight ties including a 23-23 tie late, the Cyclones rallied for the final two points of the set to move ahead 2-0. The third set was close early at 4-4, the Cyclones went on a 8-0 run to move ahead 12-4 and didn’t let up to close out the match win.
A-P Head Coach Candace Kleespies on second set adjustments and benefit of ranked matchups.
“We got some more touches in the back row that we got right on Bella’s head so that she could use more of our hitters and kind of mix up our offense,” says Kleespies. “If we’re in system, it’s pretty good. We had to work harder to get that ball in system tonight so that we could use as many hitters as possible. These matches are what makes you ready for the postseason. Playing sub .500 teams or even .500 teams isn’t what you need, you need these matches that push you really hard. We’re gonna take a lot of positives from that second set and that’s what we’re gonna really focus on.”
The Falcons were led by Kolbie Wangsness with eight kills and Zoey Uhlenhopp added seven.
A-P moves to 10-4 overall and 1-2 in NICL-Central, the Falcons return to the court at Gladbrook-Reinbeck tournament on Saturday.
