March 29, 2024

Lady Indians battle in final tuneup for regionals

Clarke’s volleyball team competed with Pleasantville on senior recognition night Thursday, but the Trojans were able to pull out each set in the end for a 25-15, 25-22, 25-16 sweep.

The Lady Indians (1-20) held leads in each of the three sets in their regular-season finale. The best chance for taking one came in the second game, when Clarke nearly forced a 1-1 tie in the match by going in front 19-16. But the final six points proved to be elusive.

Senior Kara Campfield had served four straight points, including an ace, as the Lady Indians built that lead. But after a sideout on a wide serve, Pleasantville’s Bailey Oliva answered with a four-serve string to put the Trojans back in front 21-19.

Serve mistakes hampered Clarke on two late opportunities, and when an attack sailed out of bounds on game point, Pleasantville escaped with the 25-22 win.

Clarke again took a 5-3 in the third set. Then Pleasantville’s top hitter, Kennedy Core, peppered the Lady Indian defense with two straight kills from the left side and the Lady Indians were soon in another deficit, 12-8. Core’s kill punctuated the final point of the 25-16 win.

Clarke coach Lindsay Diehl said her young squad, with only three varsity seniors, is still learning how to finish tight games.

“We talk about having fight, and not being OK with being mediocre, not being OK with giving up,” said the state champion softball coach. “When you’re a program that’s been down for awhile, which we have, when you get in tight situations, you get tight. That just takes repetition of being in those situations, and these kids haven’t had that. We do have three seniors, but they have minimal varsity experience.”

Junior Baylie Balcaen led Clarke with six kills and sophomore Alex Boyce had four, along with a team-high eight blocks. Senior Bronwyn Miller was also aggressive at the net, which Diehl said the team needs more of in the postseason tournament opener Oct. 27 at Chariton.

“Sometimes we get caught up in being satisfied that we just got the ball over the net,” Diehl said. “But I tell them we’re sending lollipops over there for the other team to set it up and hit back to us. We’re constantly having to play defense. We’re not putting ourselves in the opportunity to put the offense together and put the ball away.”

LeeAnn Helgevold had six blocks for the Lady Indians and Sydnee Redman helped the defense with 12 digs. Setter Lexy Carson had 12 assists and served a pair of aces. Maddi Heath served four aces.

Seniors and their parents honored before the match were Sara Andrew, Kara Campfield, Dania Echeveste and Miller.

Chariton won a 3-0 match at Clarke on Sept. 2, but Diehl said she’s encouraged about the Lady Indians having an opportunity to move on to the second round with a good effort next week.

“We actually played them really well here at home,” Diehl said. “That was one of our best matches that we’ve had. I feel confident that if we show up to play we could be successful.”

Pleasantvile 3, Clarke 0

Kills — Baylie Balcaen 6, Alex Boyce 4.

Blocks — Boyce 8, LeeAnn Helgevold 6.

Digs — Sydnee Redman 12.

Service aces — Maddi Heath 4, Lexy Carson 2.

Setting assists — Carson 12.