’Dogs bite ’Cats in Alliance clash
T-R PHOTO BY EMMA CLAWSON Marshalltown junior Morgan Hilderbrand (7) goes up for the attack against Ottumwa during Tuesday’s Iowa Alliance Conference volleyball match at the Roundhouse.
T-R PHOTO BY EMMA CLAWSON Marshalltown senior Lauren O’Neal (12) sets the ball as sophomore middle hitter Brooklyn Smith (5) approaches the net during Tuesday’s Iowa Alliance Conference volleyball match against Ottumwa at the Roundhouse.
T-R PHOTO BY EMMA CLAWSON Marshalltown junior Morgan Hilderbrand (7) goes up for the attack against Ottumwa during Tuesday’s Iowa Alliance Conference volleyball match at the Roundhouse.
T-R PHOTO BY EMMA CLAWSON Marshalltown senior Lauren O’Neal (12) sets the ball as sophomore middle hitter Brooklyn Smith (5) approaches the net during Tuesday’s Iowa Alliance Conference volleyball match against Ottumwa at the Roundhouse.
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The Marshalltown volleyball team opened its final week of the regular season with a chance to put a charge into the homestretch.
Ottumwa turned the Bobcats back immediately.
The visiting Bulldogs powered their way to a 25-8, 25-5, 25-17 triumph over Marshalltown in Tuesday's Iowa Alliance Conference clash to remain unbeaten in league play ahead of next week's head-to-head showdown with Des Moines Roosevelt. Both teams are 7-0 in Alliance action and face off Oct. 13 in Ottumwa.
Marshalltown (7-17, 5-3) couldn't force much of a bobble from the Bulldogs (17-9, 7-0), who capitalized on free balls and finished with force on the Bobcats' Senior Night.
"A disappointing night for sure," said MHS head coach Jennifer O'Neal. "We really struggled on all fronts unfortunately. We really need to dig deep and see what we have to give the rest of the season.
"I'm proud of our seniors, especially Lauren's efforts and competitiveness tonight. Hopefully we can bounce back and play better on Thursday."
Senior setter Lauren O'Neal totaled 12 assists and was the defensive leader with 15 digs on the night. Ottumwa targeted the Bobcats' offensive distributor to take them out of system, and the strategy worked.
Brooklyn Smith and Bella Avise had five kills apiece and Anela Holloway added three as Marshalltown mustered only 13 kills in the 3-0 loss.
O'Neal had the team's only block while Morgan Hilderbrand contributed seven digs and Collins Grant had six. MHS served 27-of-32 as a team with Hilderbrand recording the squad's only ace.
"Hopefully we can bounce back and play better on Thursday," said coach O'Neal.
Marshalltown hosts Waterloo United at 7:15 p.m. Thursday before going to the Oskaloosa Tournament on Saturday to finish off the regular-season schedule.