T-wolves capture own tournament title

Southwest Valley capped a 5-0 day with the team title at its own invitational tournament Saturday in Corning.
The Timberwolves knocked off Lenox 25-19, 25-22 to capture the championship trophy.
After sweeping through pool play with sweeps of Diagonal 21-7, 21-5, Clarke 21-10, 21-8 and AHSTW 21-17, 21-6, Southwest Valley (18-3 overall, 6-0 in the Pride of Iowa Conference), knocked off East Atchison 21-17, 21-4 to reach the championship.
“The girls played together and strong all day long, not dropping a single set the entire day,” said Southwest Valley coach Lisa Sparks.
“It is always nice to come home with some hardware and even better when it’s on your home court. The girls have goals this year and are working hard every day to reach those goals.”
Katey Lillie and Marley Gray led the Timberwolves offense with 24 and 23 kills, respectively. Lillie added five aces, and 23 digs and Gray had six aces to go with 25 digs.
Ray Helvie chipped in 21 kills, and five blocks.
Morgan Shuler paced the offense with 70 set assists. She added four aces and 17 digs.

Southwest Valley 25-24-25-21-16
Stanton 13-26-23-25-14
Southwest Valley downed Stanton in a five set, non-conference thriller 25-13, 24-26, 25-23, 21-25, 16-14 Thursday in Corning.
“The girls came out strong in set one,” said Southwest Valley coach Lisa Sparks. “We played some of our best volleyball. They were disciplined and played with and for each other. Set two got away from us when we allowed a seven-point run for them to take set 2. However, we battled back and were able to win the third and fifth sets to end the night.”
Marley Gray had a strong night with 20 kills. Ray Helvie added 10 kills.
“We spread the ball well throughout the night but those two were ready to put the ball away,” Sparks said.
Morgan Shuler notched 39 set assists. She also added 22 digs. Katey Lillie led defense with 26 digs.

Timberwolves sweep POI triangular
Southwest Valley picked up a pair of sweep victories in Pride of Iowa Conference volleyball last Tuesday in Corning.
The Timberwolves recorded wins over Central Decatur 25-8, 25-13 and Nodaway Valley 25-8, 25-9.
“We played very clean and efficient volleyball tonight,” said Southwest Valley coach Lisa Sparks. “Everyone was able to get some good reps in. Girls off the bench capitalized on opportunities. It was good, clean, solid volleyball by the entire team.”
In the win over Central Decatur, Gracelyn Bain and Ray Helvie led the way with four kills each. Morgan Shuler had 14 set assists
In the nightcap, Helvie and Katey Lillie notched seven kills each and Shuler dished up 14 set assists and had eight digs.