Logan View/Scribner-Snyder defeated Fort Calhoun 3-0 Monday during the first round of the Nebraska Capitol Conference (NCC) Volleyball Tournament.
The Pioneers fell to 4-21 this season with their 15th road loss, but showed a better version of themselves after a 25-9 first set. Junior Grace Genoways and her setter, junior Olivia Quinlan, were key to the 25-16 and 25-11 second- and third-set showings.
“Immediately once that first set was done and we didn't get as many hits as we wanted, I looked at her and I said, 'You know, I'm going to try my best to be there every time,'” Genoways said.
The FCHS classmates have built a volleyball rapport since playing the game together as youngsters. On Monday, Genoways finished with a team-high seven kills thanks to Quinlan.
“It's her set that got me there,” she said.
The Pioneers fell behind the Raiders 19-7 during the second set despite a Raegen Wells ace and block, and an Abbey Lienemann kill to the back corner of the court. They battled back closer after Genoways delivered three-straight points.
The junior first tapped the ball gently over the net to the floor before hitting her own kill to the same back corner Lienemann found an opening. Her third-straight kill then pulled coach Sarah Rangel's squad within 19-10.
Two Bailee Spencer hits and Genoways' ace highlighted the closing stretch of the set, which still produced a 2-0 Logan View lead.
Genoways earned a block and a kill during the third set, too, but Logan View improved to 10-15 with the win.
Overall, Genoways had two aces to go with her seven kills, while Megan Braymen, Lienemann and Wells added an ace each. Genoways also had two blocks as did Quinlan and Wells.
Ruby Garmong, Spencer and Mollie Dierks led the Pioneers in digs, too.
When asked what she enjoyed most, Monday's Fort Calhoun standout said she like the aces most.
“For my entire high school career, I've only had people serve for me,” Genoways said. “And, so, serving for myself and getting my own points, which weren't influenced by anybody else but me, kind of felt really good.”
Despite their loss, the Pioneers were scheduled to play a second NCC Tournament game Thursday at Conestoga. Next, they play the Cougars again at 7 p.m. today before Thursday's triangular at Wisner-Pilger.
