Hawks open with 4-set win over FM

DONNELLSON — Central Lee volleyball coach Amy Cook is blending in a talented freshman class to a rotation full of accomplished older players this season.
What she liked about Thursday’s four-set season-opening win over Fort Madison was how it all came together.
“I think just getting the jitters out was a big deal for us,” Cook said after the 25-13, 20-25, 25-17, 25-14 win. “Our upperclassmen did a great job of encouraging our younger girls. This is the first time this group has played together in an actual game, and I thought we did a lot of good things.”
Cook saw that leadership from her senior players — Taylor Jones, Kenna Sandoval, Aubrey Weber and Jayden Mueller — before the match even started.
“They were really encouraging the younger players, telling them, ‘Don’t worry, just play like we do in practice,’” Cook said.
Opening nights are that first look at a team under match conditions, and Cook and Fort Madison coach Kelly Knustrom saw good things and things that needed to be corrected.
“I don’t know if we played the way we did in practice, but that’s OK,” Cook said. “It’s our first game. We know what we can do, and that’s coming.”
“We just didn’t communicate at times,” Knustrom said. “We were a little hesitant at times. I think with a little more time together, those things will improve.”
The Hawks looked sharp earlier, taking advantage of some of the Bloodhounds’ mistakes to build a 20-6 lead. Fort Madison started to settle in, getting to within 21-11, before Central Lee pulled away to finish the set.

Fort Madison led for most of the second set. The Bloodhounds led 20-19 before scoring four consecutive points to regain control and tie the match.
“Game 2 was great,” Knustrom said. “Our blocking was much better in that game. First game, that was all about some of the nerves that come with playing the first match. But I thought we settled in for that second game.”
Central Lee broke open the third set with a 14-6 run that included big shots from Jones, who had an ace and three kills in that stretch.
“She’s our go-to girl when we need some big plays,” Cook said. “And I thought she served the ball really well, especially in the last couple of games.”
Central Lee opened the fourth set with an 8-1 run that included two blocks and a kill from freshman Maggie Mullins. Fort Madison got to within 21-14 before the Hawks finished the match, ending it on a kill from Jones.
“Central Lee did a great job of adjusting to our blocks,” Knustrom said. “I thought we played hard and we didn’t quit. That’s a good sign for this team.”
Dayonna Davis led Fort Madison with eight kills and added eight assists. She was also 9-of-9 serving with two aces. Sydney McEntee had five kills and seven blocks. Jaycee Fullenkamp had four kills and nine digs. Jordyn Grisham had 10 assists and nine digs. Kylie Lumino had 18 digs.
For Central Lee, Taylor Jones was 26 of 28 hitting with 10 kills. She also had 16 digs, three blocks and two aces.
Kenna Sandoval had 28 assists to lead all Lady Hawks.. Macy Doty of 20 of 21 serving with two aces.