Fort Madison second at Southeast Conference finals

BY PCC STAFF

KEOKUK - Fort Madison finished second at the Southeast Conference volleyball tournament after falling to the 15th-ranked Burlington Grayhounds in the finals.

The Bloodhounds knocked off host Keokuk 21-17, 21-16 before falling to Class 4A 15th-ranked Burlington 21-18, 21-17.

Senior Jillian Wiseman had 22 kills on 43-50 hitting in the four games to lead Fort Madison. Junior Lauren Bailey had 26 assists and 22 of 24 serving with four aces to lead the Bloodhounds in both those categories.

Head Coach Kent Bailey said the Hounds were flat in the first match against Keokuk.

“We were hoping to show more consistency in our play this match knowing we play Keokuk next week in regionals. We were able to put them away with some effective serving at the end of each game," he said.

Bailey said the Hounds got off to good starts in both games against Burlington, but then got into some hitting errors and let the Grayhounds back in both games.

“I thought our kids competed hard against Burlington in that second match. They have more length than we do and that showed in their outside hitters going over our blocks," he said.

"We were able to neutralize their middle hitters after they gave us fits the first match earlier this year.”

Fort Madison goes to the Mediapolis Quadrangular on Thursday and play Mediapolis starting at 5 p.m. followed by Holy Trinity, and then Eddyville Blakesburg-Fremont.

The Hounds are 14-20 overall and finished second in the Southeast Conference at 5-3.