HUXLEY — Two ranked teams in two higher classes topped the Woodward-Granger netters at the Ballard Invitational Saturday, with the Hawks winning over two other larger schools.
The Class 2A Hawks (15-7 overall) opened pool play with a 2-1 win over 4A host Ballard, topping the Bombers 15-21, 21-15 and 15-11. W-G then topped 3A Greene County, 2-0, behind finals of 21-16 and 21-14.
Class 5A No. 8 Johnston proved too much in the third match of the day for the Hawks as the Dragons claimed a 2-0 victory, winning 21-17 and 21-3. W-G had 4A No. 13 Pella on the ropes in their final match but could not put the Little Dutch away, as Pella held on for a 25-23, 15-25, 15-13 win.
Olivia McCune did not play in the opening match but finished with a team-best 26 total kills at the invite. She had eight blocks and was 14-of-15 serving with one ace. Sophomore Anna Nelson added three blocks for the Hawks.
Mary Hansen had 24 kills and Bree Lesch 19, with Alyssa Bice providing 42 assists and Hansen 28. Lesch led W-G with 22 digs, with Kara Bodensteiner adding 20 digs, Kaycee Major 14, Hansen nine and Bice eight.
Lesch finished 33-of-36 behind the line with four aces, with Bice 29-33-3, Bodensteiner 28-31-2, Major 22-25-2 and Hansen 13-15-5.
W-G hosts Van Meter tonight and then is off until Sept. 29 when Madrid visits. Both matches are West Central Conference contests.
