Cyclone volleyball moves up the ranks in weeks two, three
By Micah Knebel
The Denver volleyball team jumped up the ranks from #10 to #4 in their second week of competitions. The Cyclones closed out week two with a 4-1 finish at the New Hampton tournament Sept. 2.
Denver claimed 2-0 wins over Turkey Valley (1-1) and South Winneshiek (2-4) and a pair of 2-0 wins over 1A #6 ranked Don Bosco (4-3), They took their first loss against 2A #5 ranked Sumner-Fredericksburg. The Cougars moved to 6-2 after taking down the Cyclones in two matches.
Against Hudson
On Sept. 5, the girls faced 2A #15-ranked Hudson at home. They earned a 3-0 win over the 7-6 Pirates with scores of 25-20, 25-22, and 25-15. Aces were scored by Brilee Ackerson (two), Elaina Hildebrandt (one), Bailey Mullihan (one), and Grace Mullihan (one). Channing Johnson had 28 of the team’s 34 assists. Bailey Mullihan and Jessica Gergen claimed nine kills each with another seven coming from Hildebrandt. Defensively, Bailley Mullihan led the team with 18 digs, followed by Hildebrandt with 12. They had 56 overall.
On Sept. 7, the next weekly rankings were released, putting Denver at #5.
At Aplington-Parkersburg
Denver ended its week in Parkersburg on Sept. 9. There, they went two games against undefeated 2A #3 ranked Grundy Center. The Cyclones took a 2-1 win over the Spartans but also suffered a 0-2 loss, giving the Cyclones their second loss of the season and the Spartans their first. Denver also faced 1A #1 Ankeny Christian. The Eagles won the game 2-0, moving Denver’s record to 13-3.
The Denver volleyball team jumped up the ranks from #10 to #4 in their second week of competitions. The Cyclones closed out week two with a 4-1 finish at the New Hampton tournament Sept. 2.
Denver claimed 2-0 wins over Turkey Valley (1-1) and South Winneshiek (2-4) and a pair of 2-0 wins over 1A #6 ranked Don Bosco (4-3), They took their first loss against 2A #5 ranked Sumner-Fredericksburg. The Cougars moved to 6-2 after taking down the Cyclones in two matches.
Against Hudson
On Sept. 5, the girls faced 2A #15-ranked Hudson at home. They earned a 3-0 win over the 7-6 Pirates with scores of 25-20, 25-22, and 25-15. Aces were scored by Brilee Ackerson (two), Elaina Hildebrandt (one), Bailey Mullihan (one), and Grace Mullihan (one). Channing Johnson had 28 of the team’s 34 assists. Bailey Mullihan and Jessica Gergen claimed nine kills each with another seven coming from Hildebrandt. Defensively, Bailley Mullihan led the team with 18 digs, followed by Hildebrandt with 12. They had 56 overall.
On Sept. 7, the next weekly rankings were released, putting Denver at #5.
At Aplington-Parkersburg
Denver ended its week in Parkersburg on Sept. 9. There, they went two games against undefeated 2A #3 ranked Grundy Center. The Cyclones took a 2-1 win over the Spartans but also suffered a 0-2 loss, giving the Cyclones their second loss of the season and the Spartans their first. Denver also faced 1A #1 Ankeny Christian. The Eagles won the game 2-0, moving Denver’s record to 13-3.
