CHETOPA – The Altoona-Midway Middle School volleyball team closed out its 2023 fall season here Saturday by competing in the Mineral Belt League Tournament.
The season finale did not turn out as Altoona-Midway had hoped, as the Jet were defeated in both of their matches. Making those results an even bitter pill to swallow was the fact AMMS had defeated both of their opponents in previous matches this season.
However, the Jets were competitive in both matches, falling to Chetopa 25-19, 25-18; and later to Elk Valley 25-17, 25-19. “One of our starters, eighth-grader Ashlyn Sicka, broke two of her fingers during practice on Wednesday and was unable to play because the rules prohibit a hard cast on the fingers, hand or wrist,” explained AMMS head coach Chary Weilert. “We only had one practice with our new lineup, and communication is vital in the game of volleyball.
“Every one of the girls gave it their all, but injuries this late in the season can work against the mindset of the six girls on the court working as a unit,” she added. Altoona-Midway finished the season with a 4-15 overall record.
AMMS vs. Chetopa
Despite serving 94 percent in the opening set, the Jets passing accuracy hovered just above 50 percent for the match as they fell to Chetopa 25-19, 25-18.
Earlier in the week, the Jets swept the Hornets in straight sets, winning 25-13, 25-21.
“Chetopa’s strategy was a one-hit-over-the-net, and our girls just weren’t moving their feet for all of Chetopa’s free balls. However, when the girls did move their feet, they attempted to set it up multiple times, which was encouraging,” said Weilert. “If Sophia Sweigart was able to get to the pass, she would set up Sandra Morales – and as a result Sandra had eight attacks at the net (for the match). I was happy to see my two 8 th graders working so hard and working together so well.” Destiny Raymond also had two net attacks. Morales blasted five aces and Sweigart and Emily Burch added one ace each. “Sandra has an incredible skill set and I can’t wait to watch her play varsity for the high school next year,” Weilert exclaimed. “She has outstanding court awareness and can play every position with ease. She’s just very, very talented.”
AMMS vs. Elk Valley
Passing accuracy continued to hamper the Jets in the second match as they fell to the Elk Valley Lions 25- 17, 25-19. AMMS was on target with passes only 37 percent in the first set and 44 percent in the second. Morales again paced the Jets with four aces and one attack at the net, while Raymond fired a pair of aces and Burch and Sweigart again added one ace apiece.
“I really had a great time working with the girls this year,” Weilert commented. “Our goal was to
improve, and even though we peaked off and on throughout the season, we ended the season with an overall mark of improvement.
“I will miss the eighth graders – Ashlynn Sicka, Sophie Sweigart, and Sandra Morales. I wish them the best of luck next year as freshmen. Of course, I am proud of all of the girls who finished the season,” Weilert added. “We lost some girls by the end of the season due to academic ineligibility, so the fact that we finished the season with nine girls who were capable of balancing volleyball, homework, and other school activities says a lot about their focus and determination.”
Photo courtesy of Cherokee Nalley