Sports : Former Vikette Ashley Strong leading SWCC in kills

VS alum Ashley Strong is a leader in kills as a freshmen on the SWCC volleyball team.

On Monday, Aug. 27, the South West Community College (SWCC) Spartan volleyball team, which includes 2012 VS graduate Ashley Strong, kicked off their season by travelling to Southeast Nebraska Community Collegein Beatrice, NE.After dropping the first two games 14-25 and 13-25, the Spartans rallied to take the final three games 25-21, 29-27, and 15-12. The strong play in the second half of the match gave them their first win on the season.

Lily Lower led the team in aces with three and also led the team with four assist blocks. Mel Mangrum had three blocks and five kills. Ashley Strong led in kills with 11 followed by Molly Schimp with nine and Alex Duffy with eight. Mariah Kruse led in digs with 21 and Jacelle Neill was second with 20.

The Spartans will made home debut Wednesday, August 29, hosting Marshalltown CC.

After a strong start, Southwestern lost in four games.

Leading in kills tonight was Ashley Strong with 13 followed by Alex Duffy with nine. Both Mel Mangrum and Lily Lower had eight kills. Lower led in blocks with three. Jacelle Neill led in digs with 13. Lower led the team in aces with three. Molly Schimp who was hurt in the match led in assists with 28.

Head Coach Melissa Blessington said, "The match started off well because the girls came out with a lot of fire. With a young team oftentimes it is hard to keep the intensity. We were playing well in the fourth game but with an injury to Schimp we had to do some adjustment that threw our team off kilter a little bit. The girls should bounce back. It is early and we know with a lot of freshmen that we will have our ups and downs."

The Spartans will head to Lamoni on Saturday, September 1, to play in the Graceland Tournament.

View more photos on SWCC's page on Facebook.

(Photos and information courtesy of the Creston News Advertiser.)