Sports

SOLON– Friday, Nov. 1, was bittersweet for Liberty High School as the Lightning celebrated the first playoff appearance for the varsity football team, and bid farewell to the “Original,” or “O-Bolts,” the seniors who have worn Liberty’s black, purple and silver for four years on the gridiron.
The Bolts faced the undefeated Solon Spartans in a Class 3A first round playoff game in Solon, and fell 14-7. The Spartans did all of their damage in the first half with a touchdown on their first possession, and the second just inside the second quarter.

TIFFIN– The Clear Creek Amana (CCA) varsity volleyball season ended Tuesday, Oct. 29, as the Clinton River Queens pulled off a 3-1 (25-16, 21-25, 25-22, 25-16) upset in a Class 4A regional semifinal match at CCA.
The Clippers entered the contest after a first-round bye with a 23-14 record, and a No.14 ranking in Class 4A from the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU). Clinton, on the other hand, was unranked with a 12-22 record.

VAN HORNE– It was too much Abby Brunssen.
The Benton Community senior, a unanimous First Team All-WaMaC Conference selection, carried the Bobcats to a 3-1 win over Solon’s varsity volleyball squad in a Class 3A Region 6 quarterfinal Oct. 23 in Van Horne.
“Abby was definitely the difference in the game,” said Solon Head Coach Sarah Ferin. “She went over us, and converted every free ball– credit to her player of the year title for sure.”
Brunssen powered her team with 37 kills.
Solon countered with defense, recording 15 blocks for the game.

TIFFIN– Clear Creek Amana’s (CCA) varsity football team closed out the 2019 season with a 35-21 win over the Sabers of Central Clinton, DeWitt at home on Friday, Oct. 25. It was Senior Night for the Clippers with Kaden Gisleson, Andrew Swails, Nick Gerard, Sam Stevens, J.J. Denny, Grant Jensen, Andrew King, Sam Noska, Zane Cunningham, Tanner Webb, Xavi Hernandez, Thomas Macumber, Kyle Pitlick, Eric Zierke, Landon Schanz, Grant Haman, Lucas Tenhagen and Gabe Jenn recognized for their contributions to the program.

TIFFIN– Five Clear Creek Amana (CCA) varsity volleyball players have received WaMaC All-Conference honors.
Cheyaenne Bunch, Calia Clubb, Hailey Pollock, Emily Sly and Gabrielle Bedford were named to West Division teams for their efforts for the Clippers during the regular season. The WaMaC East and West lists were released on Thursday, Oct. 24.
Bunch and Clubb were unanimous selections to the First Team, Pollock was a Second Team pick, while Sly and Bedford received WaMaC Recognition (formerly Honorable Mention).