Mixed results in season opener

Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn split its pool matches and lost the battle for fifth place during the Spencer volleyball tournament on Aug. 22. The tournament was played at Okoboji High School, as the Spencer Fieldhouse is not air-conditioned.

The Hawks played close sets with Manson Northwest Webster in their opening pool match. The Cougars held slim leads in both sets and were eventually able to earn a 21-19, 21-18 win.

H-M-S tasted victory for the first time in 2023 with a 2-1 win over Spencer. The Hawks controlled the first set (21-11) and led midway through the second. The Tigers regained the lead and went on to tie the match (17-21). In the deciding set, H-M-S took the early lead and held off the Tigers for the win (15-11).

Having finished third in their respective pools, H-M-S and South O'Brien faced off for fifth place. The Wolverines swept the match (21-13, 21-13), dominating the first set and overcome an early Hawk lead in the second to earn the win.

For the tournament, H-M-S recorded 31 kills on 128 attacks. Kylee Schiphoff led the offense with 16 kills, Abby Douma had nine and Moriah Otto had three. Frankie Mohni put up 26 set assists.

On defense, the Hawks recorded 75 digs, led by Abigail Otto with 16. Other leaders in digs were Moriah Otto 14, Mohni 11 and Eliza Tewes 10. Kinsey Schirmer added nine digs, Schiphoff had six, Lindsey Van Es had five and Addison Sheeler added four.

Blocking leaders were M. Otto, one solo and three assists; Schiphoff, one solo and two assists; and Douma, two assists.

As a team, the Hawks were successful on 102-of-117 serve attempts (87.2 percent). Tewes was 28-of-30, A. Otto was 21-of-23, Schirmer was 22-of-26, Schiphoff was 14-of-17, M. Otto was 7-of-8 and Mohni was 7-of-10. H-M-S had 15 aces, led by A. Otto with six, Schiphoff with four and Schirmer with three.

H-M-S (1-2) plays at Trinity Christian on Sept. 5 and at West Sioux on Sept. 7.