BUFFALO – A little rest and some time to work on things apparently paid dividends for the Altoona-Midway High School volleyball team.
After a torrid schedule that saw AMHS play nine matches in a week, including seven matches in three days, the Lady Jets were given a week to regroup.
And regroup they did, as Altoona-Midway posted a 25-23, 25-18 victory over Chetopa in a Three Rivers League matchup played Tuesday at Milo Peterson Gymnasium. The Lady Jets were unable to complete the sweep in the triangular, however, as they dropped a 16-25, 11-25 decision against St. Paul in the finale.
The victory against Chetopa in the opener also snapped a six-match losing skid for the Lady Jets.
“We came out strong in our match against Chetopa, taking the win in just two sets,” said AMHS head coach Michelle Stackhouse. “However, we did have seven missed serves in the opening set, so that set us back. But we played smart from there on out and came away with the win.
“We needed to come out on top in a match,” she added, “and I’m very proud of the girls for working to get the job done.”
And although the Lady Jets were unable to continue their winning ways in the nightcap with St. Paul, Stackhouse still thought the girls gave it a good shot.
“Our game against St. Paul was more difficult for us because they have a very talented team this year,” the coach noted. “Still, we played hard and the girls had fun.
“We didn’t pull out a win against St. Paul, but we were strong at the net,” Stackhouse added. “Hopefully we can carry that momentum into our matches Thursday at Arma.”
Sandra Morales had an impressive night during Tuesday’s triangular, finishing with 18 kills and three blocks to go along with 15 good serves, two aces, 43 passes, and 31 sets.
Emmalynn Pupanek also racked up the stats, compiling 15 kills, four blocks, 14 serves, four aces, and 56 passes.
Autumn Raymond contributed her usual strong overall game, handing out 32 sets to go along with 11 good serves, a pair of aces, 60 passes, and nine kills.
Altoona-Midway, now 1-3 in Three Rivers League play and 5-17 overall, was scheduled to travel to Arma on Thursday, Oct. 3, for another pair of TRL skirmishes against Northeast and Oswego.