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Bobcats’ run halted by Waukee, 3-0

Kyra Feldman

WAUKEE — The Class 5A No. 6 Waukee volleyball team chalked up seven service aces and limited its mistakes in snapping Marshalltown’s seven-match win streak by sweeping the Bobcats, 25-12, 25-8, 25-19, in Tuesday’s CIML Iowa Conference finale.

Marshalltown (14-12, 2-4) struggled with the first phase of the game as Waukee went 71-for-73 serving with seven aces, while the Bobcats finished 37-of-40 without an ace. The Warriors (30-9, 5-1) secured second place in the CIML Iowa behind its potent pair of outside hitters as Kate Nelson compiled 13 kills and Ella Pedersen added 10 more.

“This was one of those matches where we did not show up from point one and our serve-receive let us down this evening,” said MHS head coach Chris Brees. “We had hoped that our response after this weekend would’ve been more competitive. When we got into points, our defense was really good.”

Erica Johnson led the Bobcat defense with 16 digs, while libero Kyra Feldman finished with eight digs. Autumn Finch posted a team-leading 10 kills and Johnson had six more, but that was the bulk of the damage Marshalltown’s offense did. MHS had 22 kills offset by 19 swinging errors, with Waukee tallying four blocks.

Brees credited Olivia Brintnall for stepping in well and getting three kills in limited opportunities in addition to one block.

“She came in and had a good match for us,” Brees said. “She is adjusting well to multiple positions in the front row.”

Finch led up front with two blocks, as did Tasia Pohle. Madi Finch finished with 20 assists and one block.

Johnson served 9-for-9, Brittany Sichra was 8-for-8 and Madi was 7-for-7. Feldman had two aces while Mayah Carson was 5-for-6 with one ace.

Fresh off a team title at the Oskaloosa Tournament, Marshalltown couldn’t maintain its momentum. The Bobcats lost for the first time in two weeks to close their regular season, but will get a chance to get back up to speed with Saturday’s Johnston Tournament. Marshalltown got a first-round regional bye and will host either Cedar Rapids Prairie or Cedar Rapids Jefferson on Oct. 29 in the Region 6 semifinals.

“This weekend will not get any easier as we have two top-10 teams in our pool and eight ranked teams overall,” Brees said. “This is a good preparation week for our semifinal round. We’re just going to have to refocus the rest of the week in practice to get back on the winning streak.”

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