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Gaels cruise in opener vs. Eagle Grove

Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Hannah Huss of St. Edmond tips the ball past Eagle Grove’s Hannah Huntley (9) on Tuesday night. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

The St. Edmond volleyball team took care of business here Tuesday night, opening postseason action with a sweep over Eagle Grove.

Scores were 25-14, 25-6 and 25-10.

Next up for the Gaels (16-13 overall) will be IKM-Manning (22-17) on Monday night in a Class 2A, Region 3 quarterfinal. The winner advances to the semifinals on Thursday in Neola vs. either No. 8 Tri-Center or Woodward-Granger.

Senior Hannah Huss recorded a match-high 11 kills and six aces, with Erin Flattery picking up six kills, four blocks and a pair of aces.

“We received contributions from several players, which is what you want to see at this time of the season,” SEHS head coach Dee Huss said. “We’ve been working really hard to be at our best right now and I feel like the girls have the desire to really push forward in the postseason.”

Devyn Scott added seven kills and two blocks, Josie Huss had six kills and two aces, and Livi Huss four kills for St. Edmond, which has won its most matches in a season since 2007.

After winning four of six, the Gaels closed the regular season with losses to Hampton-Dumont in five and vs. Humboldt. But Huss saw plenty of key improvements to believe her squad was on the right track.

“Devyn continues to improve for us each night,” she said. “Our outside hitters had good nights, we had a good showing once again with our serve-and-receive, and our blockers made some big points.

“We know it’s going to be tough going on the road, but we are prepared to be road warriors.”

St. Edmond put the first set away with a commanding 10-2 run as Huss and Scott each had four kills. The Gaels also recorded four blocks in the set.

That momentum carried over into the second, as they jumped out to an 8-2 lead and put together a 10-point run before scoring the final five points of the set.

“We focused on what we needed to do on the court,” Huss said. “We were also able to mix in some of the other girls which is always an added bonus in the postseason. You never know when you might need someone to step in.

“Chloe is a very capable server for us and she showed that. Macey Mason is another player that doesn’t get a lot of mention but what she does is so important for our team from the back row.”

For Eagle Grove, Lanie Morgan had five kills and Natalie Vrba three with a block.

The top-half of the regional features fourth-ranked Council Bluffs St. Albert, ACGC and Madrid. IKM-Manning has lost seven in a row after winning six of eight to close the year.

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