Rams 2-3 at Harlan tourney

Glenwood capped a 2-3 day at the Harlan Volleyball Invitational with a fifth-place finish Saturday.

The Rams (5-3) picked up wins over Underwood 21-17, 20-22, 16-14 and Council Bluffs St. Albert 21-15, 21-15 in the fifth-place match. The losses came to St. Albert in pool play, 21-14, 14-21, 16-14, Missouri Valley 21-10, 13-21, 13-15 and ADM, 21-15, 21-13.

Glenwood coach Jenn Schneider said her team got off to slow start in Harlan but they “put all of the pieces together” in the afternoon. 

“As a team we have to find a way to come out strong right away and get as many wins as we can,” she said. “We took it as a learning moment and what we need to work on moving forward. We had our chances every game, and we learned that we have to take advantages of our runs and capitalize on leads rather than settling.”

One area Schneider said one that was a big factor in particular: communication.

“That hurt us on Saturday, and that is something we will always push for more of from the team. We made some adjustments as we went along, and the girls adapted to those well. We have all the right pieces moving forward, we just need to put them together at the same time every chance we get out on the court.”

Kaylee Wray’s 31 kills on the day led the Ram attack. Jenna Walters added 14 kills and Ayrianna Legband, 17 kills.

Cambree Smothers dished up 44 set assists to pace the offense.

Rylie Kendall notched 43 digs.

Rams opens season with 3-0 night

Glenwood head volleyball coach Jenn Schneider picked her first coaching victory and as the Rams opened its season with a trio of victories in a home quadrangular Thursday in Glenwood.

“The girls came out with amazing energy which seemed to help ease the nerves for the first night out,” said Glenwood coach Jenn Schneider. “They battled every set and showed a lot of grit. When things got close, they never gave up and pushed until the very end. It was great to start out with a few wins under our belt right out of the gates. 

“The girls were able to see how much potential they have this season and how it takes everyone. I was very pleased with how we started and excited to have many more nights like that.”

The Rams downed Tri-Center 21-17, 21-11, Sidney 21-17, 26-24 and Sergeant Bluff-Luton, 18-21, 21-14, 15-13.

Kaylee Wray led Glenwood with 16 kills on the night. Addie Madison added 15 kills. 

Cambree Smothers paced the offense with 38 set assists and Rylie Kendall added 43 digs.