Linn’s varsity volleyball squad earned third at Hallsville tournament on Saturday with just one loss the whole day.   

“We went into this tournament having to make some rotation adjustments as we would be missing a player and would not be pulling any JV players up as subs since they were also in the JV side,” said Coach Megan Russell, noting the team had just eight players. “During the day, one of our players actually got sick, so we continued making adjustments during the day. I was most impressed with how the girls worked through being put in different positions than normal and still giving it their all. We had girls playing middle who had never played that this year. I just love how I can change things up game to game and know these girls will continue to show up and still give it their all.”

In pool play, Linn defeated Columbia Independent (25-20, 25-13), and split with Hallsville (16-25, 27-26) to enter bracket play with a second seed.

That put the Lady Cats against Smithton in the third-place match, and Linn won 25-5, 25-21.

Tournament stats: Jorja Kempker (21 digs), Ali Russell (7 aces), Nicole Grellner (24 kills), and Carley Brandt, Kylie Goans, and Jordyn Bish (1 block each).

In the JV tournament at Hallsville played on Saturday, Linn played in four matches.

The Lady Cats defeated Centralia, 25-17, 25-21, just two days after losing (see info below).

“Our first match-up allowed for our girls to win back their confidence,” said Coach Daniel Pauk. “This strong start to the day set us off on the right foot.”

From there, Linn split with Smithton, 25-21, 18-25, and lost to Fr. Tolton, 25-27, 18-25. “This was a hard-fought game where we saw our offense really start to kick in,” said Pauk.

Lastly, Linn lost to Hallsville, 18-25 in both sets. “It came down to us being drained,” said Pauk. “After so many games of volleyball, we struggled to find momentum.”

Linn placed third among the five-team pool to earn a plaque.

On Thursday, Linn beat Centralia in straight sets, 25-16, 25-15, 28-26.

Stats: Goans (4 aces,11 kills, 10 digs), Russell (3 aces, 9 kills, 17 digs), Grellner (26 assists), and Kempker, Nevaeh Ames, and Brandt (1 block each).

In a three-set loss in the JV match, Jordyn Bish recorded five kills, while Kendra Robinson and Josslynn Branstetter each added four, and Kaydence Nilges recorded 10 digs.

“Our biggest fault of the game came down to serving with 11 missed serves over the course of the night,” said Pauk.

Last Tuesday, the Lady Wildcats handled Belle, 25-14, 25-11, 25-13.

“The girls really came out fired up and ready to play,” said Russell. “This was the first team we saw this season in our district. We wanted to come out sending a message.”

Stats: Grellner (18 assist, 13 digs), Goans (10 kills), Russell (5 aces), and Brandt (5 blocks).

The JV team claimed its first win of the year. Adrienne Lansford had six kills on 12 attacks, and Allie Steinbeck and Lexy Strong were right behind her with five each. Kenzie Jurd posted 15 digs.

Against Cuba last Monday, the Lady Cats won 25-15, 25-23, 25-19.

Stats: Grellner (12 digs, 12 assists), Brandt (10 kills, 3 blocks),  Kay (12 assists), and Goans (5 aces).

“The varsity team continues to put in the daily effort and their hard work is paying off,” said Russell. “We are playing extremely well right now as a team with multiple girls contributing to our success.”