Lady Bulldogs notch homecoming win over Leon

IOLA – Homecoming may not have been Iola’s ideal setting for a matchup between the top-2 state ranked 2A volleyball teams, but the top-ranked Lady Bulldogs fed off the energy of the capacity crowd for a 3-1 (1225, 22-25, 25-21, 13-25) win over #2 Leon.

“We’re very excited to get the win on homecoming of all things,” said Iola Head Coach Jamie McDougald. “I don’t know why we had to play them on homecoming, but we will take the win anytime we can get it.”

Iola (42-1, 5-0) defeated Leon (36-2, 1-2) for the second time in district play. Last season the Lady Cougars knocked off Iola each of the three times they faced off including in the Regional tournament. “We know that one of the players is hurt, and in the long run we hope to play them again in the regional fi nals,” said McDougald. “We have to work hard and step it up some more.” The Lady Bulldogs were off to a fast start jumping out to a 3-1 lead in game one behind a kill and big block by Sydney Nevill. Throughout the game Neville had big stops at the net and the Lady Bulldogs had great play from the entire team including multiple kills from Lindsey Gooch and Shaylee McKown.

Leon kept game two closer and won game three before Iola regrouped for a dominant 25-13 win in game four. “We started the match with ideas knowing what we had to do,” explained Mc Dougald. “We did it in game one, and most game two. In game three we just got comfortable and got away from it. Before game four we reminded the team what we needed to do. We kind of kept #12 out of the game in game four, kept them out of their system and it paid off.” Gooch provided the player perspective after game three. “We knew we were the ones up two sets to one and if we just pushed through and played like we had been then we could get it done,” she said. Gooch said the win was a team effort. “The team really came together and pulled it off,” said Gooch. “We couldn’t have done it without every one of us playing our best game. If we don’t work together, we fall apart, so I’m really proud of our team.”

She noted the play of several players. “Sydney Nevill, man she was a beast up there. She was really blocking the ball a lot and put it down when she had the chance. Shaylee [McKown] did a great job of placement and finding the spots that were open. She is very smart, and her passing was good. Ava [Bessett] didn’t let them get many down on her.”

“I feel like coming from last year when we lost all three games to Leon it was definitely good to beat them in our own gym in under five sets,” said Neville.

When asked about her big game she credited her teammates. “I feel like having good passes to the net and having my setter be able to set it anywhere and running a fast offense really helped me to hit where I needed to and get around the block.”

The win gives Iola control in district play, but Nevill explained what needs to happen for Iola to reach their goal of a state championship. “Working really hard in practice and not just laying back after winning these two games but still continuing to grow together.”

Gooch and Raley were honored after the game for senior night. Both girls were part of the 2020 state championship team and have an astounding 153-14 record in their high school career so far.