MARION — The varsity Lady Spartans fell 3-0 to the Marion Wolves Tuesday, Sept. 19 in the Wolves’ den.
Solon trailed early in the first set but rallied back to an 18-17 deficit and tied the set 20-20 before falling 25-21. Marion took the second set 25-17 after again leading early. The Lady Spartans took a 4-0 lead in the third set and kept the lead through much of the set before Marion tied at 18 and pulled ahead 20-19 before Solon tied the set at 20, 21, and 24 (with a kill from junior Yasmine Sell). A kill by junior Grace Erwin knotted the set at 26 before Marion took the 28-26 set and match win.
Both teams entered the contest ranked No. 8 (Solon in class 3A, Marion in 4A) by the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU). And both teams remained at No. 8 in the Thursday, Sept. 21 rankings. The balance between the teams was apparent, even in the post-game stats as Marion’s Michaela Goad led all with 14 kills while Yasmine Sell led Solon with 13. The Lady Spartans had two solo blocks (Grace Erwin and Sell) to one for the Wolves. Brynn Deike (two), Kennedey Whitford, and Lauryn Wear produced four ace serves to one for Marion.
Erwin made seven kills, Jozie Lahr and Gable Knight produced three each with two from Deike and one apiece by Aly Stahle and Addie Miller. Lahr made five block assists, Deike had three while Erwin, Sell, and Miller made two each.
Upcoming events
Solon travels to Independence Tuesday, October 3 with freshmen and JV playing at 5:00 p.m., sophomores at 6:00 p.m., and varsity at 7:00 p.m. Center Point-Urbana’s tournament is Saturday, October 7 starting at 8:30 a.m. The WaMaC Tournament is set for Thursday, October 12 at Marion High School starting at 4:00 p.m. ahead of postseason play, which begins Tuesday, October 17, continues Thursday, October 19, and ends with the Regional Final Tuesday, October 24 with a trip to State on the line.
WaMaC standings (as of Sunday, Sept. 24)
Conf. Overall
Clear Creek Amana 3-0 25-0
Mount Vernon 3-0 18-2
Marion 3-0 16-7
Benton Community 2-0 8-14
Vinton-Shellsburg 1-1 12-18
West Delaware 1-2 20-8
Center Point-Urbana 1-2 15-8
Solon 1-2 15-10
South Tama 1-2 9-14
Grinnell 1-2 6-15
Independence 0-3 12-12
Williamsburg 0-3 5-19
Brynn Deike (2) tries to slam a kill shot past Marion’s Sophia Paulsen (6).