​Eagles volleyball fends off stronger Truman challenge wins in three sets

by Michael Smith, Grain Valley News
 
The Grain Valley volleyball team had a tougher challenge on its hands.
 
In its season opener against Truman earlier in the month, the team had little trouble dispatching the Patriots in a 25-4, 25-7, 25-16 victory. In Thursday’s Suburban White Conference rematch, Truman put up more resistance.
 
The Patriots kept pace with the Eagles early in the first set and were at an 8-8 tie at one point, and in the third set, they had a chance to win it after a kill from senior Lillian Nolte pulled her team within 24-23.
 
However, Grain Valley met Truman’s challenge and were led by seniors Kyleigh Casey and Chesnie King as they combined for 23 kills in a 25-18, 25-13, 25-23 victory at Truman High School.
 
“The first time we played them, we were a little more consistent on our serve receive,” Casey said. “We need to work on that, but I think we worked well together overall.”
 
Grain Valley head coach Tori Squiers said she was not surprised that Truman put up a tougher fight in the second match.
 
“Truman came out way stronger this match,” Squiers said. “We knew that. They were our very first match. They had four weeks to improve, and they came out and showed they did. They have a tough defense to score against.”
 
In the second matchup with Truman, more hits and bumps went out of bounds than the first one. The Eagles also committed more errors. But Grain Valley overcame those things due to the strong presence at the net with King and Casey putting away opportunities to score.
 
“Kyleigh is our most consistent player,” Squiers said. “She leads us in kills, aces and serve receives. She’s a strong all-around player. Her work ethic outside of games is outstanding, too. Chesnie is so strong on the right side. Having her there is one of our strengths.
 
King served as a hybrid hitter and setter as she led the team with 12 kills and was second on the team with 11 assists. Sophomore Bromlee Cook had a team-high 15 assists, and she had multiple quick sets that allowed King and Casey to catch the Truman defense off guard.
 
“They did really well with our serve being off today,” Casey said of the setters. “They put up a lot of great balls.”
 
Grain Valley (13-6, 8-0 White Conference) rotated in some junior varsity players including sophomores Annabelle Stewart and Keighann West and freshman Kira Freeman, whom the team sang “Happy Birthday” to after the game.
 
Squiers said the junior varsity trio has played well in the past few weeks as the Eagles still have some varsity players out with an injury like sophomore Lucy King and senior Chloe Hernandez.
 
“It’s awesome to see how girls at Grain Valley successfully step into new roles constantly,” Squiers said. “They do what’s best for the team. Everyone is so welcoming for who we need at the time.”
 
Both teams were tied at 8-8 in the first set before Grain Valley went on a 15-5 run to take control. During that run Casey and King had three and two kills, respectively, and junior Amayah Richburg contributed with a block and a kill.
 
King tacked on four kills in a second set the Eagles dominated from start to finish. In the third set, Grain Valley led by as many as five points, but freshman Aleah Ulberg helped keep her team in it by getting four of her team-high six kills. Despite a late run from the Patriots (3-7, 0-6), Grain Valley was able to hang on to sweep in three sets.