Osage Hosting Tournament of Ranked Teams and Top Athletes
Osage has a long list of conference titles and state tournament appearances. With decades of history, there is no better time to build off their storied program than the present. This weekend will host ranked teams from all across the…
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Continue ReadingOsage has a long list of conference titles and state tournament appearances. With decades of history, there is no better time to build off their storied program than the present. This weekend will host ranked teams from all across the state which will be sure to provide some upsets as well as top performances from players who will one day play for top collegiate programs. The round-robin tournament features Osage, Charles City, Forest City, Waverly-Shell Rock, Dike-New Hartford, Clarion-Goldfield-Dows, and Gilbert.
Charles City
The Comets are no stranger to success with state tournament appearances of their own. They will be bringing in a young squad that is led by their top attacker in Rachel Chambers who is only a Sophomore. They will be seeing fellow NEIC conference rival Waverly-Shell Rock where both teams have been at the top of the conference for years.
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows
Lots of connections between CGD and Osage with some of their players teaming up during the club season. Morgan Middleton is one of the top attackers in the Class of 2021, In this short season, she is averaging over five kills per set. The Cowgirls also have top libero Jadyn Jondle who is so solid in serve receive as well as reading her hitters on the other side of the net. CGD will be looking to get back to the state tournament in Class 2A where last year they qualified in Class 3A.
Shae Dillavou attacking for Forest CityDike-New Hartford
The name speaks for itself, as do trophy cases. The Wolverines play a rigorous schedule with top teams from all classes across the state. Morgan Weber is in her Senior year and already is nearing 150 kills while averaging over five kills a set and still hitting over .300. Of the four losses they have this season, all of them are to Class 4A or 5A opponents including top five teams in Dowling and Xavier.
Forest City
The Indians have had their season end the past few years to Osage and Clarion-Goldifled-Dows while also defeating Gilbert to go to state in 2015. The defending Top of Iowa West champions will have Kaylee Miller attacking on the pin as well as Shae Dillavou. Miller is averaging 3.5 kills per set while Dillavous is right at three. Senior setter, Emma Hovenga quarterbacks the offense for the Indians who will be playing in their first tournament of the season.
Haleigh HadleyGilbert
Extremely athletic. Gilbert will be bringing in a squad full of all-around athletes. Their top two attackers of Thea Rotto and Haleigh Hadley are nearing the 100 kill mark while Taylor Grinley is doing it all from setting to attacking with 131 assists and 67 kills. The Tigers have already picked up big wins against Class 4A and 5A squad.
Osage
The Green Devils are ready to face some top competition which will start out a series of tournaments this season against the best around. The second ranked team in Class 2A return All State outside hitter, Dani Johnson as well as other top attackers in Paige Kisley, Meredith Street, and Kaebre Sullivan. This squad is experienced, athletic, and has the winning culture to make a deep run this season.
Waverly-Shell Rock
Add another top team to the mix with the Go-Hawks, who are off to a red hot start. Chicago State recruit, Jaz Westmoreland is back as one of their top six rotation outsides in the area. WSR has welcomed the emergence of Sophomore middle blocker Avery Beckett who is off to a blistering start with over 100 kills and 20 total blocks.