BUFFALO – The short-handed Altoona-Midway High School volleyball squad returned to
the court on Sept. 20, when the Lady Jets hosted a quadrangular event at Milo Peterson
Gymnasium.
The Lady Jets, down to just five players due to injuries, had been forced to cancel a
couple of scheduled matches, but returned to action despite not being able to fill out a
regular starting roster.
And while AMHS was unable to wind up on top in any of its three matches on the day, the
Lady Jets quintet gave good effort all afternoon.
Altoona-Midway lost to Liberty Homeschool Alliance 5-25, 13-25; fell to LHA Junior
Varsity in a tightly-contested three-set match 22-25, 25-3, 23-25; and came up short
against Chanute Christian Academy 10-25, 14-25.
“Even though we were unable to win any of our three matches, the girls did pick up a set
win, which was a big boost to their confidence,” said AMHS head coach Brandi Swiler.
“The team really needed that.”
During the exciting three-set match against the Liberty JV, Keyleigh Clines rattled off 16
consecutive service points during the second-set victory by the Lady Jets. Emily Burch
picked up where Clines left off, connecting for eight straight points to serve out the set.
Swiler also pointed out the improved play of Allie Lockhart.
“Allie is gaining so much confidence every match; she is fun to watch,” the coach noted.
“It is exciting to watch her confidence grow. She had three blocks and one big hit on the
day.
“Another big win was once again watching the growth of the players and the team as a
whole,” Swiler added. “Even with only playing with five players, we are starting to work
more like a team should and not be so individualized.”
This week’s schedule had Altoona-Midway traveling Pleasanton for a triangular on
Tuesday (Sept. 30), and Thursday (Oct. 2) the Lady Jets were slated to host a triangular
against Tyro Christian School and Liberty Homeschool Alliance. First serve is scheduled for
5 p.m. at Milo Peterson Gymnasium.