Three NICL volleyball teams will meet for a triangular Tuesday when #13 (2A) Wapsie Valley hosts #7 (2A) Aplington-Parkersburg and AGWSR. The matches will air on 99 The Wave.
The Falcons (15-4, 1-2 NICL-C) will enter on a five-match win streak, having won the tournament championship at #12 (1A) Gladbrook-Reinbeck over the weekend. Head Coach Candace Kleespies says middle hitter Zoey Uhlenhopp will be a key as the season goes on, having gained the attention of many opponents.
“She’s one that we definitely want to get the ball to as much as we possibly can,” Kleespies says. “We’ve worked a lot with even if we’re not in system with our pass, being able to move her around and get different sets to her so that we can use her even when we’re not in system. Zoey has done a great job. Her hitting efficiency is also pretty high for us and she’s just a tough block. I think at least three of the different teams that we saw were sending three blockers every time she was hitting as much as they possibly could. And so as a hitter, that’s a huge compliment that they’re sending everything at you to try to stop you.”
Uhlenhopp leads the team with 22 blocks and has the second-most kills with 116.
AGWSR (9-11, 1-2 NICL-W) is coming off a 3-1 outing at the tournament at Gladbrook-Reinbeck, part of a four-match win streak that snapped a losing streak of five matches. Coach Jill Smith has described it as an up-and-down season, and hopes to grow upon strong middle hitting and serving.
“The biggest thing for us is just playing consistently,” Smith says. “We’re still just a little bit of a roller coaster right now. And so just finding ways to steady out a little bit quicker and not allow such big runs by our opponents, but finding ways to side out a little bit quicker. And again, really utilizing our middles. I thought we served really well this weekend. I think that is something that can be a strength for us.”
A balanced attack is led by Elise Olson and Brylea Metzgar with 86 and 82 kills.
Wapsie Valley will play at home for just the third time this season after taking on #13 (3A) Union on the road Monday night.
Pregame coverage will start at 5:20 p.m., followed by the first serve at 5:30. The Cougars and Warriors will meet in the opener, followed by AP vs. AGWSR. The Falcons will take on the hosts in the finale.
