Fort Dodge can’t stop Ottumwa
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For a significant portion of their home opener on Thursday, the Fort Dodge volleyball squad was up to the task and then some against new Iowa Alliance Conference rival Ottumwa.
When it came time to close out sets, the Dodgers weren't able to consistently execute at the level needed to prevail against the Bulldogs.
Ottumwa slowly but surely took control after trailing for long stretches in the first two games, and that obstacle was too much for FDSH to overcome inside the Dodger gym.
Scores were 25-18, 24-26, 28-26 and 25-13 in favor of the Bulldogs.
Head coach Beth Wilder's team showed significant improvement after a rough weekend tournament at Humboldt. Fort Dodge was impressive at times in going up 10-7 early in the opening frame and reaching set point ahead 24-21 in game two.
Ottumwa (4-1 overall, 2-0 in the IAC) never panicked, though, going on a 9-3 run to take the first set and fighting back from the brink of a tied match in the second with five straight points to suddenly gain total control.
"We were so close so many times to turning a corner, but a lot of little things added up both in our execution and communication," Wilder said. "It's tough because the effort was there. It was much better than (last weekend). So in that sense, we took a positive step forward and I told them that. Now the goal is to be even better the next time out, so we can start seeing more positive outcomes."
Kills by juniors Adyson Friesth and Grace Nichols gave the Dodgers early momentum, and even when Ottumwa fought back to gain the upper hand, Fort Dodge stayed within striking distance and reached a 14-all tie in the first set. That's when things began to unravel for Wilder's group.
Still, the second game was a huge step in the right direction - until it suddenly wasn't.
A service ace from senior Hope Alstott made it 15-11 Dodgers, and even when the Bulldogs fought back to an 18-18 deadlock, Fort Dodge answered with four straight points capped by an ace from sophomore Brogan Miller.
A Friesth kill put the Dodgers on the brink of knotting the match, but Ottumwa scratched, clawed and ultimately prevailed in the pivotal second game.
Fort Dodge again showed its resilience in the third set when it looked like the Bulldogs may pull off a sweep. The Dodgers were up 21-15 on a Friesth kill and 22-17 when sophomore Holly Schaffer did the same before Ottumwa reeled off a 7-1 counter to reach the verge of match victory.
A kill from Nichols pulled FDSH back to even, and the Dodgers ultimately prevailed to force a fourth set before the Bulldogs finally slammed the door.
Alstott had 28 digs and Friesth recorded 15 kills. Schaffer added eight kills, while Nichols tallied five kills and six blocks. Friesth contributed three blocks.
The Dodgers had to finish the match without junior starter Sydney Carver, who injured her knee on a kill in the second game that gave the home squad a 10-4 advantage. Carver did not return.
"We're still needing more vocal leadership," Wilder said. "We keep talking about and working on it. Communication is so important, and something we have to do more consistently. It's not just about what we're doing (during a rally) but what we're saying and how we're saying it.
"We challenge them every single day and will continue to do so (to be more verbal). But again, we were much better in all facets than (an 0-5 start) at Humboldt."
Ottumwa has been a member of the IAC's South Division during the league's first four seasons, and FDSH has been in the IAC North. Ames left the conference for this academic year, though, and Waterloo East is no longer a regular member in every sport as it transitions into a consolidation agreement with Waterloo West for 2028-29.
As a result, the nine remaining IAC schools - Mason City, Marshalltown, Des Moines Roosevelt, Des Moines Lincoln, Des Moines Hoover, Des Moines North, Des Moines East, Fort Dodge and Ottumwa - will compete in one nine-team volleyball league.
The Dodgers to action at Des Moines Roosevelt on Tuesday.