East Mills downs F-M in volleyball

MALVERN — Last Tuesday will go down as one of the more memorable moments for East Mills volleyball.

East Mills rallied in the fifth game to score the 3-2 win over rival Fremont-Mills during last Tuesday’s conference opener.

“This is like the No. 1 match that I’ve ever coached,” Wolverines Head Coach Connie Blank said. “It was amazing.”

The Wolverines found themselves down 11-5 in the fifth game.

East Mills crawled back though, scoring six straight points to tie the game. Fremont-Mills called a timeout when the lead got down to three. However, East Mills rallied back and tied the match at 11, thanks to a kill by Emily Ray, who finished with a team-high 11 kills.

“We were down and we stayed with it,” Blank said. “They had the confidence to finish it and they accomplished it.”

Fremont-Mills took the lead back twice, but East Mills tied it both times.

The Wolverines scored a block to take the lead 14-13 and scored once more to win the deciding fifth game 15-13.

Game one went back-and-forth briefly, before East Mills took a close lead. The Wolverines took game one though, scoring points late in the game to win 25-18.

After losing game one, Fremont-Mills stormed back in the second to take a commanding lead. East Mills tried to rally, but it wasn’t enough as the Knights won 25-12, tying the match 1-1.

“They have amazing hitters, they were digging up everything,” Blank said. “They’re an excellent team.”

The momentum stayed in Fremont-Mills’ favor as they jumped out to a seven-point (12-5) lead.

East Mills spent much of the crucial third game playing catch-up. They got within striking distance (13-10) thanks to an ace by Kendra Croghan, her only one for the match as she was 10-for-12 at the service line.

The Wolverines were able to tie the game at 18-18 and took the lead, allowing three points against Fremont-Mills for the remainder of the game and winning 25-21.

“These girls believed and they played really well together,” Blank said. “They never gave up.”

After an early lead in game four, East Mills lost it to the rallying Fremont-Mills, who jumped ahead 9-5 and forced Blank to call a timeout.

East Mills got close to overtaking the lead, but the Knights were able to hold on and win game four 25-15.

Jessie Doyle was second behind Ray with 10 kills for the match. Doyle also had 13 digs and was 22-for-23 in serving.

Samantha Opal had eight kills, while Emmy Duysen and Stephanie Frink each had five.

Elizabeth Walker had four kills, as well as a team-high 20 assists, as well as 15 digs. Duysen had 18 assists in the win.

Kendra Croghan had 16 digs, which led the team.

East Mills also had a 3-0 win Thursday against Heartland Christian. Doyle had six kills, while Opal finished with four. Walker had two kills and 14 assists.

With the wins over Fremont-Mills and Heartland Christian, the Wolverines are now 2-0 to start the conference season.

East Mills was home Monday night to play Clarinda Academy. Results weren’t available as of press time.

Knights 4-2 at Shen tourney

The Fremont-Mills volleyball team bounced back from a tough Corner Conference loss to rival East Mills by going 3-2 at the Shenandoah Invitational on Saturday.

The Knights recorded wins over Lenox 21-12, 21-9 and Rock Port, Mo. 21-18, 21-16 and a pair of wins over Bedford 21-16, 21-23, 15-12 and 21-19, 21-17.

Taryn Williams recorded 40 kills and Delaney Langfelt 57 set assists in the tournament.

East Mills 25-25-25
Heartland Christian 5-4-5

The East Mills volleyball team dispatched Heartland Christian 25-5, 25-4, 25-5 in Corner Conference volleyball Thursday.

“We played well tonight with a lot of focus,” said East Mills coach Connie Blank.

Jess Doyle led the Wolverines with six kills. Elizabeth Walker added 16 set assists and Stephanie Frink recorded nine aces.