By Staff

            ELYRIA – Trying to close out the month of September on a high note, the Elyria Christian volleyball program ended the month winning three of four matches against Burrton, Canton/Galva, Rural Vista, and Wakefield.

            On Tuesday, September 27 the Lady Eagles hosted Rural Vista and Wakefield.

            Losing to Rural Vista was tough as they all three sets were close, losing the first set 18-25, then taking a three-point, 25-22 win in the second set before losing the third set and match 19-25.

            Ryland Hawkinson gave it her all in the match, recording 16 kills, making seven digs and getting seven blocks while Macy Reiff had eight digs.

            The Lady Eagles got back on the winning side in the nightcap with a straight set 25-9, 26-25 win over Wakefield that had Reiff making another 10 digs and Jory Glendening getting nine.

            A week ago on Thursday, September 22, Elyria Christian went to Burrton and scored a pair of wins over Burrton and Canton/Galva.

            In the first match against host Burrton, the Lady Eagles took the first set 25-19 before losing a tight second set 24-26 and then getting the match victory with another 25-19 set win.

            Directing the offense in the match was Kortney Potter who dished out 26 assists while Alexus Swenson and Macy Reiff made 17 and 16 digs each. Ryland Hawkinson dominated the net in recording 13 kills and getting four blocks.

            The Lady Eagles dropped a close first set, 23-25 to Canton/Galva before hammering away for a 25-12 second set win and then going into overtime before getting a two-point, 30-28 third set win and match victory.

            Ryland Hawkinson dominated the match with Canton/Galva as she recorded 13 kills, made 15 digs and got four blocks. Julia Allen (22), Macy Reiff (19), Raegen Hawkinson (17), and Alexus Swenson (16) combined to make 74 digs while Raegen added eight kills to the stat sheet.

            Lady Eagle head coach Jayme Gardner reflected on the Thursday matches by saying, “This was a great night of volleyball as all three teams showed up to win. Our girls had to fight through some challenges tonight and found a way to pull together and get the job done. I am really proud of how hard they work and how they continued to build each other up even in the lulls of the games. Some girls stepped up as leaders and that is one thing we have been waiting for this season.”

             Next up for the Lady Eagles will be a road trip to Burrton on Saturday for the Burrton Invitational where Elyria is scheduled to face Fairfield, Sterling and Inman in pool play. Inman is currently ranked number four in Class 2A.

(The Staff covering McPherson County Activities can be reached by email at crossdovewriter@gmail.com)