JOHN CURTIS - Daily Union Sports Editor
Cowden-Herrick 8th graders took a triple loss at the Pana tourney on Saturday, then dropped their part of a doubleheader on Monday against Neoga, 17-25, 19-25, after the 7th grade Hornets notched another win, 25-7, 25-21.
On Saturday, the Hornet 8th grade dropped their opening game of the Pana tournament to Pana 1, 15-25, 9-25, then lost a close game 2 to Nokomis, 23-25, 25-21, 13-15, before losing another 2-point game to Pana 2, 23-25, 25-21, 23-25.
"The team started off shaky against Pana I, but proceeded to improve throughout the matches," said Hornet coach Angela Jefferies. "Their confidence is improving, but they still have a ways to go in keeping their "game heads". I am proud of their determination, but now need to work on not getting rattled with our mistakes and moving on."
Pana 8th Tourney
Game 1
Pana 1 def. Cowden-Herrick, 25-15, 25-9
C-H stats: Haven Lorton 4 points, 3 aces; Alicia Hadley 4 points; Bailey Rueff 2 points; Jensyn Morrison 1 point; Dakota Fouts 1 point; Ashley Miller 1 point, 1 ace.
Game 2
Nokomis def. Cowden-Herrick 25-23, 23-25, 15-13
C-H stats: Lorton 12 points, 2 aces; Cassie Marts 6 points, 2 aces; Ariel Heiserman 5 points; Hadley 4 points; Morrison 3 points; Fouts 3 points, 1 ace; Rueff 2 points.
Game 3
Pana 2 def. Cowden-Herrick, 25-23, 21-25, 25-23
C-H stats: Lorton 12 points, 2 aces; Fouts 8 points, 5 aces; Heiserman 6 points, 3aces; Marts 5 points; Miller 4 points; Rueff 3 points, 1 ace; Haldey 2 points; Morrison 2 points; Maria Brown 1 point.
They went back to regular season action on Monday, hosting Neoga for an NTC match-up.
The Hornet 7th rolled in game, winning by 18 points. They were led in double figures by Ariel Heiserman with 13 points, 1 ace and Ashley Davis with 12 points, 1 ace. Alicia Adams had six points and a team-high four aces, Fouts had four points and Lorton led at the net with four kills and a block (5 net points).
"The 7th graders are feeling more comfortable in their changed line-up," Coach Jefferies said. "They are really learning to rely on each other and set up their offense."
7th
Cowden-Herrick def. 25-7, 25-21
C-H stats: Heiserman 13 points, 1 aces, 2 assists; Davis 12 points, 1 ace, 1 block, 1 dig; Adams 6 points, 3 aces, 1 assist, 1 kill; Fouts 4 points, 1 kill, 1 block, 1 dig; Lorton 1 point, 4 kils, 1 block.
The 8th graders competed against Neoga, but couldn't get over the hump.
"The girls are doing so much better than their record shows," Coach Jefferies said. 'Down a setter due to illness, we had to make some adjustments. I am quite satisfied with how they played."
Cassie Marts was the only kdouble-digit performer for the 8th grade, serving up 12 points. Rueff led at the net with three kills and a block, while Hesierman had a team-high 2 assists.
8th
Marts 12 points, 1 ace; Miller 4 points, 1 ace, 1 assist; Rueff 3 points, 3 kills, 1 block; Heiserman 2 assists; Hadley 1 point, ace, 1 dig; Destiny Pygott 1 kill, 1 dig; Lorton 1 kill; Kasey Mueller 1 point, 1 ace,1 dig; Bethany Hadley 1 dig.
C-H 7th (5-1, 4-0 NTC) and 8th (1-8, 0-4 NTC) host St. Elmo on Tuesday at 4:15 p.m. and then play at Stew-Stras on Thursday at 4:15 p.m.
