Iowa Deaf completes volleyball season with sweep

From: Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil, IA - Oct 26, 2003

MATT PRIETO, Staff Writer 10/26/2003

The Iowa Deaf volleyball team celebrated its homecoming Saturday with wins over Clarinda Academy and Missouri Deaf, to finish out their season with a 12-9 record

"It is the best record we have had here in my ten years of coaching," said Bobcat coach Karen Lechner.

The previous best season was last year, when the Bobcats finished with an 11-10 mark.

"These last two years have been my most successful here in terms of winning," said Lechner. "It is a great group of seniors that will be leaving."

The Bobcats went up against Clarinda Academy first on Saturday, winning 25-19, 19-25, 25-10, largely on the setting of Karen Ruckman (21 assists) and the hitting of Katie Romey who finished with nine kills.

"Clarinda Academy is a greatly improved team from when we played them earlier this year," said Lechner. "They really made us earn this win."

The Bobcats wrapped the season up against Missouri Deaf with a win in three games 25-14, 22-25, 25-10, dominating the game with their serving.

Karen Ruckman led with six aces, while Cassandra Case, Katie Romey and Erin Huntrods all finished with four.

"This is also the first time we have won our Homecoming Invitational since I have been here," said Lechner. "It was a great way for the seniors to end their careers."

The Bobcats will lose their team set assist leader in Karen Ruckman and defensive specialist Amanda Moon, as well as all-around solid seniors Erin Huntrods, Katie Romey and Jada Hart.

"Next year will certainly be about rebuilding," said Lechner.

Clarinda Academy 19 25 10

Iowa Deaf 25 19 25

Iowa Deaf: Aces: Karen Ruckman 1, Cassandra Case 3, Katie Romey 3, Liz Gramblin 3, Amanda Moon 2, Jada Hart 2, Erin Huntrods 1. Kills: Romey 9, Gramblin 1, Moon 2, Hart 6, Huntrods 2. Set Assists: Ruckman 21. Digs: Romey 2, Gramblin 1, Hart 4, Ruckman 2, Case 2.

* * * * *

Missouri Deaf 14 25 17

Iowa Deaf 25 22 25

Iowa Deaf: Aces: Ruckman 6, Case 4, Romey 4, Moon 3, Hart 1, Huntrods 4. Kills: Romey 8, Moon 2, Hart 2. Set Assists: Ruckman 4, Huntrods 1. Digs: Gramblin 1. Moon 1.

Record: Iowa Deaf (12-9).

©Daily Nonpareil 2003