Cadet spikers win Kepros Tourney, tripped by Decorah

CRESCO - Taking on a strong Decorah squad on Sept. 10 at home, the Crestwood varsity volleyball team battled hard before losing, 2-3 (21-25, 25-17, 23-25, 25-17, 11-15).

Competing at home during the Kepros Tournament on Saturday, Sept. 14, the Cadets played well as they won five straight matches to win the team championship. 

In pool play, the Cadets swept Riceville (21-14, 21-12); edged Turkey Valley (21-13, 21-19); and crushed Lansing Kee (21-3, 21-3). In the Gold Bracket matches, Crestwood downed Lisbon in the semifinals (21-18, 21-17); and beat North Fayette Valley in the finals (21-18-21-15). During the tourney, Cadet senior Vienna Nibbeink surpassed 500 career digs.

“We put together a solid day (at the Kepros Tourney),” Cadet Head Coach Robin Gossman ssaid. “We really didn’t miss a beat. Our offense was working well as we passed well on serve receive and during rallies. The girls were able to adapt to different blocking schemes and that really helped. We served well, forcing our competitors to work hard for everything they did.”

The Cadets (9-2) will compete at the Waukon Tournament on Sept. 21 at 9 a.m.

Decorah match

Gossman said his team competed hard against the Vikings on Sept. 10.

“This was a tough loss for our team,” Gossman said. “We started slow but in the middle three sets, we played well. In a match like that it comes down to just a couple points. 

“Overall we out-scored them but they won the match. It was a great match with two teams exchanging blows. One mistake here or there determines who wins,” the coach said. 

Zoey Mehmert and Lily Troendle each had 10 kills for the Cadets. Troendle also had two blocks. Olivia Johnson had 16 kills. Lily Hubka had seven kills. Lydia Williams tallied eight kills. Aubrey Mannery had four kills.