GHV drops volleyball opener to North Iowa

The Garner-Hayfield-Ventura volleyball team put up a good fight in their opening contest of the season against North Iowa on Thursday, Aug. 27, but they came up short in the four game match.

North Iowa opened strong with a 25-19 win in the first match.  The Cardinals dug deep in the second match and pulled off a close, 25-23, victory.  North Iowa picked up the next two wins, 25-22 and 25-20.

“We made some adjustments to our offense throughout the match and the girls responded very well,” said Coach Kelsey Steffins.  “An area we need to continue to improve upon is passing, as we want to be a team that is able to run multiple hitting options.”

Mackenzie Van Gerpen dominated for the Cardinals, recording 18 kills.  She also had three ace serves and nine points on serve. She contributed 14 digs.

Following Van Gerpen in kills was Carlie Knutson with 10.  Taylor Gerdes recorded four, while Katie Rasmuson knocked down three and Jacki Van Oort had two kills.

Miranda Jackson led the defense with 15 digs.  Rasmuson recorded 11, while Van Oort had eight.  Bailee Frayne and Knutson had seven and six digs respectively.

Jackson also had a good night at the service line, with seven points on serve and two ace serves.  Knutson had two ace serves and six points on serve.

Rasmuson led the team in blocks with two solos and one assist.  Frayne and Gerdes each had a block for the Cards.

The team plays West Hancock on Thursday, Sept. 3, in Britt.