BLANCHARDVILLE — Nerves got the best of Pecatonica in its opening set of conference play, but the Vikings rebounded to defeat Argyle 3-1 on Tuesday, Aug. 29.

“In set one, we came out slow and hesitated to play aggressive,” Pecatonica head coach Liz McGowan said. “Our hesitation and missed serves lost us that set. We knew we had to settle in and play our game from the start of set two. We are 1-0 starting out in conference play because the girls earned this win with effort and togetherness.”

Argyle took the first set from Pecatonica 25-19 before the Vikings won the next three sets 25-19, 25-15, 25-17.

The Vikings received contributions from its entire lineup. Maddie Hirsch led with four aces, while Mikaela Gross blocked four balls. Anna Tisch distributed the offense with 33 assists while also digging out 13 balls. Loretta Tisch had double digit digs (14) and kills (10), while Madelyn Cleary paced the team with 11 kills. 

For Argyle, Kylie Butler led the team in kills (6), digs (15) and aces (2). Sadie Steiner and Mya McNett contributed with 13 and 12 digs, respectively. Ava Wiegel paced the Orioles with 11 assists and served up two aces. 

BARNEVELD 3, MONTICELLO 0

MONTICELLO — Barneveld, who finished second in the Six Rivers East Conference to Monticello in 2023, avenged its losses with a three-set victory over the Ponies on Tuesday, Aug. 29. Jaden Zuber, Dalana Trumpy, Sadie Wilkins, Braelynn Holz and Jillian Ryan contributed offensively in the 25-13, 25-16, 25-18 losses.

DARLINGTON 3, IOWA-GRANT 0

DARLINGTON — The Redbirds hit the replay button from the 2022 season, once again defeating the Panthers in three sets (25-12, 25-18, 25-14) to open up SWAL Conference play. 

In the first six matches, Jaidyn Evenstad leads Darlington with 15, followed by Maddie Gratz with 13. Setter Aubrey McCarthy paces the Redbirds in digs (26), assists (23) and aces (9).