Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Chloe Palmer of St. Edmond hits the ball on Saturday inside Hodges Fieldhouse. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

Playing for the first time this season, the St. Edmond volleyball team gained valuable on-the-court-experience this past Saturday inside Hodges Fieldhouse.

With the finishing touches being put on the new floor inside the Gael gym, the annual St. Edmond Invitational was moved to the campus of Iowa Central.

Aplington-Parkersburg went a perfect 5-0 to claim the team title, as the host Gaels were 2-3 on the day. Southeast Valley was runner-up with a 4-1 mark followed by Webster City, St. Edmond, Bishop Garrigan and Pocahontas Area.

The Gaels (2-3 overall) had the Falcons on the ropes, taking the first set, 21-19. Aplington-Parkersburg rebounded with a 21-8 victory in the second before prevailing in the third, 15-13.

“Our best match of the day was against Aplington-Parkersburg,” SEHS head coach Heather Seeden said. “We took a set from them and played well that match. I think we’ll settle into these adjustments and work on some defensive changes.”

Freshman Eden Horn led the way for the Gaels with 24 kills on the day, as senior Ava Underberg added 22. Ava Andrew, also a senior, registered 13 aces. Ella Vandi tallied seven.

The Gaels battled to a three-set loss vs. the Jaguars, taking the first set before dropping the second and third. They topped Bishop Garrigan in straight sets and bested Pocahontas Area in three, then fell in two to North Central Conference rival Webster City.

“We made a couple lineup adjustments after the first match and they proved to be the correct ones,” Seeden said. “We’ll work out the kinks in the gym this coming week.”

“I thought we served the ball well. Ava (Andrew) proved to be starting where she left off last season with ace serves. We have two freshmen in the starting lineup, and they played great in their first high school experience.”

St. Edmond will play its next three matches at home, starting Tuesday vs. Storm Lake at 7:30 p.m.