The #7 (2A) Aplington-Parkersburg volleyball team overcame short-handedness when it earned two sweeps at a North Iowa Cedar League triangular hosted by #13 (2A) Wapsie Valley Tuesday, as aired on 99 The Wave. The Falcons earned 2-0 sweeps over the Warriors and AGWSR. The Cougars fell 2-1 to Wapsie Valley.
In the opener, the Cougars fell to the Warriors 16-25, 25-19, 15-9 in the only three-set match of the night. After winning the first set, the Cougars found themselves trailing 15-8 in the second set, but cut the deficit to 22-19. The Warriors took control with a decisive set 3 win. Tori Metzgar was on fire with 11 kills to lead the Cougars.
In the second match, the Falcons defeated the Cougars 25-15, 25-16 in the quickest match of the night. In each set, the Falcons built comfortable leads to pull away for their second win over AGWSR this season. Peyton Klooster led the Falcons with eight kills and Brylie Henze had four to lead AGWSR.
In the finale, the Falcons erased deficits in both sets before surging near the end in identical 25-21, 25-21 sets. Klooster had eight kills.
Setter Bella Buseman says the team overcame the absence of outside hitter Kolbie Wangness, who missed the triangular due to illness, and played well against quality teams.
“We came into these two games with a few people out that are usually in the lineup, but we’re so deep this year with skill that anyone that comes in, anyone on the court can get the job done,” Buseman says. “So that’s really what we’re super proud of tonight with the whole team.”
Coach Candace Kleespies says the team’s depth is a key reason for success throughout a stretch of some players being unavailable.
“The last two weeks have been rough for us between sickness and some injuries that we’re kind of working through,” Kleespies says. “And I am just so dang proud of some of these girls that have stepped into these roles and have just given us amazing ball. Starting with Shelby Arkulari having to step in there for Ava Eddy for a while. And then tonight you have Jenzen Klooster starting on that right pin and, and Adri Allan coming in and just giving us some really good touches in the front row. And just being confident and going up and swinging. And then Kennedy Kalkwarf in the back row with her serve and her serve receive, and then getting us some good touches with her defense. I’m just so, so proud of these girls that have stepped up, and there’s not a drop off.”
During the evening, Buseman notched a milestone by recording her 1,500th career assist in her second full season of starting on varsity.
AP (17-4) will return to action Saturday at a tournament at Dunkerton. AGWSR (9-13) will host #4 (2A) South Hardin Thursday.
Bella Buseman interview:
Zoey Uhlenhopp interview:
Candace Kleespies interview:
