Roland-Story volleyball blows past Nevada in crucial HOIAC match, 3-1

The Roland-Story Norsemen volleyball team returned to action on Thursday Night, as they made the short trip east to the Story County seat to take on the Nevada Cubs in Heart of Iowa Conference action at Nevada High School. The Norsemen entered at 8-1, while Nevada entered at 12-2.

Thursday’s game would go a long way in providing a clear picture for the Heart of Iowa Conference race, as it was Nevada that fired the first shot, jumping out to an early lead and closing out a 25-19 set one win. Roland-Story would respond in the 2nd set, holding off a late Nevada rally to even the match up with a 25-22 win. Set 3 would be controlled by the Norsemen, who found an extra gear and executed sets at a high-level for a 25-18 win and a 2-1 lead. That extra gear carried into the 4th set, with the Norsemen leading by as much as 12 in the frame. Nevada would not go quietly, mounting a big rally to cut it to as little as 3, but Roland-Story managed to put the Cubs away by a 25-21 score and 3-1 victory over the defending conference champions.

The KQWC Player of the Game was senior middle hitter Kamryn Lande, who tallied a career-high 16 kills and 8 blocks in the win. Brookelyn Jondle finished with 13 kills and an ace for the Norsemen, while Nevada’s Rachel Borwick had a monster night with a game-high 20 kills.

Roland-Story volleyball returns to action on Saturday, when they compete in the Forest City Tournament, beginning at 9 AM at Forest City High School.