Melcher-Dallas Tournament Champions

IMG_2897MT Volleyball wins Melcher-Dallas Tournament

After opening the 2015 Volleyball season by going 0-3, the Mormon Trail Saints captured first place in the Melcher-Dallas Tournament on Saturday, September 12. Mormon Trail began the season traveling to Melcher and fell to them 0-3 in games. Later on that week, MT hosted Lamoni. The visiting Demons were able to take the win, dropping the Saints 3 games to 0. Next up, was a Tuesday night match-up with BGC power Murray. The Murray Mustangs took care of MT 3 games to 0 also. Ankeny Christian Academy came to Humeston on Thursday night. The Eagles easily took the first match 25-12. The Saints came back to right the ship in game 2 winning 25-16, coasted in game 3 25-19, and after jumping out to a big lead, fought off ACA and won the match 25-23. Against the Eagles, Gracie Hitt smashed a career high 21 kills. Kaitlyn Dent added 13 kills. The Lady Saints defense held tight as Hitt recorded 15 digs, Dent had 14, so did Cheyenne Williams, and Kaylee Parmer had 13. Breanna Glenn had a solid night running the offense, as she contributed 39 assists. Samantha Watsabaugh totaled 2 blocks. Glenn also served up 4 aces on the night, while Watsabaugh had 3. Mormon Trail was back in action on Saturday, September 12 as they traveled to Melcher for a four team tournament. MT faced Martensdale-St. Marys first. The Saints were victorious, winning by scores of 21-16 and 21-11. Hitt and Williams had high attacking honors, as each netted 7 kills. Watsabaugh and Dent weren’t far behind as they each owned 5 kills for the match. Glenn dished out 18 assists, Williams had 2 blocks, and Glenn and Watsabaugh totaled 3 aces each. Hitt hauled in 11 digs, while Dent recorded 7, and Parmer tallied 6. The Saints faced Melcher-Dallas after a two game break. MT came out dominating and won by scores of 21-15 and 21-7, gaining revenge against MD. The offense was evenly matched as Dent, Williams, and Watsabaugh each totaled 5 kills. Glenn added 13 assists. Bre Rhodes and Hitt recorded 9 digs each. Dent and Williams added 8 each also. Watsabaugh served up 4 aces, while Hitt ended the match with 3. Next up for the tournament was Seymour. Seymour had dropped their first match of the season earlier in the day. MT fought back from being down 16-20 to stun Seymour in the first game winning 22-20. The second game was all Saints, as they coasted to a 21-11 victory. The offense was very balanced. Dent and Hitt each posted 5 kills, with Watsabaugh and Williams receiving 4 kills each respectively. Glenn again set up the offense with 13 assists. Hitt led the defensive stance with 12 digs, Parmer added 8, and Rhodes collected 7. Williams again controlled the blocks, as she totaled 2 in the match. Glenn knocked down 5 aces in the victory also. With the win, MT finished the tournament 3-0 in matches and a perfect 6-0 in games. The Saints record now stands at 4-3 in matches and 9-10 overall in games. MT travels to Diagonal on Monday, September 14 and hosts rival Iowa Christian on Tuesday, September 15. On Tuesday, September 22, the Saints travel to Des Moines for a triangular match with Grandview Christian and Iowa Christian (varsity only).