Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Addie Waldorf of Humboldt goes for a kill as Fort Dodge’s LJ Maehl defends on Tuesday in the Dodger gym. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

The sixth-ranked (Class 3A) Humboldt volleyball team didn’t lose a step after going through a gauntlet of ranked opponents this weekend.

The Wildcats (13-2 overall) swept the Dodgers (1-7) in straight sets on Tuesday, winning 25-7, 25-15 and 25-10.

Humboldt won the powerful Cedar Falls tournament on Saturday, defeating four rated squads — two from 5A, one in 4A and one in 1A.

The Wildcats beat No. 11 Johnston (5A) in three sets, No. 9 Cedar Falls in three, 15th-ranked (4A) Nevada in straight sets, and third-rated (1A) Saint Ansgar in two sets. They lost a three-set match to No. 15 (4A) Waverly-Shell Rock in three.

Humboldt had a big night from their hitters on Tuesday, recording 39 kills. Jazzie Dodd led the way with 12, while Adelynn Goodell contributed nine. Alivia Goodell tallied six and Mia Schluter added five.

Humboldt head coach Kara Waldorf is in her first season of her second tenure with the Wildcats. Waldorf took over for Ashlyn (Clark) McKenna.

In the final two seasons of her first tenure — in 2020-21 and 2021-22 — she coached the Wildcats to an overall 62-11 record.

“Obviously it starts with a pass,” Waldorf said. “We find our outside set, and the middle is open for our pins.

“These girls are fun to watch when they get it going.”

The Wildcats didn’t waste time getting a lead against the Dodgers. In the first set, Humboldt went on a 20-3 run to close out the win.

Game 2 was a little tighter, as Fort Dodge took a 9-8 edge before Humboldt went on a 5-0 run. The Dodgers pulled back within 13-11, but Humboldt ended with a 12-4 run.

“I think we found our rhythm a little bit (in the second set) and knew what to expect,” said FDSH head coach Beth Wilder. “We had a few more blocked touches.”

Fort Dodge didn’t have an answer for the Wildcats in the third and final set. With a one-point lead, Humboldt scored 13 consecutive points to to up 18-4.

Humboldt used precise serving to its advantage as well, recording 12 ace in all. Addie Waldorf and Kendal Works had three each, while Dodd, Claire Dieleman and Adelynn Goodell added two a piece.

“Our goal is to get our opponent out of system,” Waldorf said. “The good thing about us is, if we have one girl that is off, four others who can step up and make the plays.”

LJ Maehl and Teryn Rippentrop recorded two kills each for Fort Dodge.

“We have to get better at our passing and communication,” Wilder said. “We have to find our fight and be consistent.

“We are kind of a rollercoaster right now.”

This was the fourth straight victory in the series for Humboldt, who also beat the Dodgers during their home invitational earlier this month.

Fort Dodge is back in action on Saturday when they play in the Carroll Invitational.