Tigers wrap up share of Hawkeye 10 title

The Red Oak volleyball team wrapped up at least a share of Hawkeye 10 Conference for the first time since 2020 with a 25-17, 23-25, 25-23, 25-21 win over Clarinda Thursday.
The Tigers (29-2, 9-0 in the conference) have won 10 straight since a Sept. 20 loss to Sioux Center. Kuemper Catholic (26-2 overall, 8-1 in the conference) can only snag a share of the conference crown with a Tigers’ loss in their conference finale to Denison.
Red Oak last shared conference titles in the 2019 and 2020 seasons.
“We are so excited to be in the hunt for the outright title and hope we can bring it home (Monday night),” said Red Oak coach Angie Montgomery. “With such a tough conference schedule, especially last week, it is always such a hard task to run through the H10 unscathed. Its also pretty special that we could do it in our final year in the conference as well.” 
Red Oak announced Friday it would officially be leaving the Hawkeye 10 Conference at the conclusion of the 2025-2026 season next summer to join the Western Iowa Conference for next season.
The Tigers continued their hot hitting against the Cardinals, striking 52 kills on the night they hit a red hot .252 as a team.
Jocelyn O’Neal led the way with 20 kills and Karly Jenkins added 11 and Keely Jones 10.
Emily Sebeniecher paced the offense with 42 set assists and 16 digs.
Mariel Ramirez led the defense with 19 digs.
“With pairings coming out hours earlier there was a whole other layer on the line,” said Montgomery. “I think it was bound to be a good match because both teams are so aware of what the other brings to the table. I absolutely love the way our hitters are clicking and working together right now. It makes for a dangerous team when your attack can come from anywhere on the floor and from anyone, not just our kill leaders. This definitely keeps teams honest and constantly guessing where the attack is coming from.”
The Class 3A, Region 4 top-seeded Tigers will open post-season play Oct. 21 hosting Clarke (7-17). Clarinda (20-7) is the No. 3 seed in the bracket.

Red Oak 25-25-25
Lewis Central 18-22-20
Red Oak picked up its ninth straight victory with a 25-18, 25-22, 25-20 win over Council Bluffs Lewis Central in Hawkeye 10 Conference volleyball last Tuesday.
The Class 3A, No. 4 Tigers hit a blistering .265 with 47 kills in the win.
Keely Jones led the way with 19 kills. Jocelyn O’Neal added 14 kills and Karly Jenkins nine.
Emily Sebeniecher dished up 42 set assists and Mariel Ramirez led the defense with 23 digs.