By CHARLES SPURLOCK
Special to TopSports.news
Third-ranked (Class 5A) Seaman volleyball hosted a United Kansas Conference triangular with De Soto and Leavenworth Tuesday, with the Lady Vikes returning home after winning the Lansing Invitational this past Saturday.
Seaman volleyball swept De Soto and Leavenworth in UKC matches Tuesday night, improving to 12-1 on the season. [File photo/TSN]
Coach Tatiana Dowling commented on the team’s focus after winning the tournament over the weekend: “I think we were a little unfocused tonight and, honestly, when I went up to the huddle to discuss that aspect of our game, our upperclassmen were already holding everyone accountable. Their exact words were, ‘We have talked about it enough. It’s time to start fixing it.’ ”
Seaman and De Soto squared off in the first match of the day, with the Lady Vikes winning, 25-15, 25-22. In set one, the teams went back and forth on the scoreboard until Seaman forced a DeSoto timeout with a 15-12 lead. The lead increased to 19-13 after three straight service points from senior Kinley Wilhelm. The Lady Vikes extended the lead and won the first set by 10 points.
Set 2 began with De Soto jumping out to a 10-5 lead thanks to excellent blocking. Seaman cut into the lead and trailed 13-12 following three service points from senior Maggie Moulden. With the set tied at 18, the teams traded points until Seaman pulled away late, winning 25-22.
The Lady Vikes were led in service points by Wilhelm and Moulden. Seniors Maegan Mills and Ava Esser led in kills. Senior Campbell Chabot and junior Harper Hafenstine led the way in assists. Wilhelm and Chabot led the team in digs.
In the final match of the day, Seaman took on Leavenworth and defeated the Pioneers, 25-7, 25-17. The Lady Vikes jumped out to a commanding 16-4 lead, causing Leavenworth to spend both of its timeouts. Seaman controlled the remainder of the set, closing it out, 25-7.
The second set began with Leavenworth battling and being tied at six. Freshman Ella Tuck recorded four straight service points, giving Seaman a 10-6 lead. Chabot scored five straight points on her serve, causing Leavenworth to take a timeout, with Seaman leading, 18-10. The teams traded points with Seaman closing out the match, 25-17.
Seaman was led by Tuck and Chabot in service points. Mills led in kills. Chabot and Hafenstine were the assist leaders. Wilhelm led the Lady Vikes in digs.
Tatiana Dowling's Seaman volleyball team ran its win streak to 13 matches with UKC wins over De Soto and Leavenworth Tuesday night. [File photo/TSN]
In preparation for their upcoming matches, Dowling said, “We need to improve on our transition. There are too many times when we are running into each other. Our communication isn’t where it needs to be for us to be successful against good teams.''
Seaman, now 13-1 on the season, will return to action next Tuesday night with a triangular with Lansing and Piper at Seaman.
Match results
Seaman def. DeSoto, 25-15, 25-22; DeSoto def. Leavenworth, 25-15, 25-9; Seaman def. Leavenworth, 25-7, 25-17.
