Falcon rally comes up short at Hudson

HUDSON – Aplington-Parkersburg volleyball took its first loss in NICL Central play as a comeback effort fell short against Hudson in a five-set loss at Hudson last Tuesday, Sept. 6.

Hudson won 25-15, 25-18, 26-28, 16-25, 15-4. The Falcons went on to win one of four matches at a tough home tournament on Saturday, Sept. 10.

Peyton Klooster had 16 kills against the Pirates and added 15 digs. Avery Meyer added 10 kills, with the bulk of successful attacks coming from 33 assists for Halle Buseman. Defensively, libero Ellen Waller brought up 22 digs and Cadence Bertram added 19 digs. Olyvia Bellows made five blocks at the net and Eliza Buss finished with four total blocks.

Waller added three ace serves on 17-of-17 serving for the Falcons. A-P was 86-of-91 as a team from the service line.

Hudson landed 11 ace serves in the win and got 25 kills from sophomore Addie Rhoades.

At Saturday’s home tournament, the Falcons were straight-set winners over Nashua-Plainfield, 21-13, 21-12, but lost three two-set matches to ranked opposition – 2A No. 10 Grundy Center, 1A No. 13 AGWSR, and 4A No. 10 West Delaware.

The Falcons looked to get back on track in a triangular at home on Tuesday against Union Community and South Hardin and will get a rematch with AGWSR in Parkersburg on Thursday. The Falcons and Cougars will also be part of the field at a Gladbrook-Reinbeck tournament on Saturday.