The AGWSR volleyball team will go for an upset when it hosts #4 (2A) South Hardin in NICL-West action Thursday. It’ll be the first meeting between the teams this season.
The Cougars (9-13, 2-1 NICL-W) are coming off an 0-2 outing in Tuesday’s triangular at #13 (2A) Wapsie Valley, where they were swept by #7 (2A) Aplington-Parkersburg and the hosts. Head Coach Jill Smith says inconsistency has been a key factor of the season; the Cougars hit nearly .200 against the Warriors but were negative against the Falcons.
“It’s an opportunity for us to battle and to get better,” Smith says. “I really believe we can compete with all the teams that we’re playing this week. It just depends what our consistency is, if we’re able to maintain it over a match. So that’s what we’re going to be working towards.”
South Hardin (14-2, 3-0 NICL-W) has had a banner season so far, and has won nine straight matches, all without losing a set. They were especially dominant in Tuesday’s win at East Marshall, where they won 25-11, 25-11, 25-4 with a .342 efficiency and 10 aces. Ava Salvo and Alli Sheldahl lead with 115 and 107 kills on the season. Sheldahl recorded a season-high 12 kills against the Mustangs.
A Tiger win would clinch the outright NICL-West title. The first serve will be at 7:30 p.m.
