Thunderbirds beat Assumption, Port Edwards
By Holly Neumann
The Iola-Scandinavia Thunderbirds volleyball team kicked off the 2019 season Aug. 29 with home wins over Assumption and Port Edwards.
The Thunderbirds won four of the six games against the Royals and Blackhawks. I-S defeated Assumption 25-24, 25-24, 13-15 and picked up a 19-25, 25-24, 15-6 victory over Port Edwards.
“It felt really good to come out and play together and work hard in front of our home fans,” coach Teresa Kielblock said.
She singled out Bryanna Kisting, Mackenzie Kielblock and Jaelyn Sivertson for making big plays when needed.
“Jaelyn had some amazing kills in the end,” she said. “If we can get that going in the beginning, that would be amazing. Mackenzie and Bryanna had some great serves.”
Sivertson is the only freshman on the team.
“She definitely has a passion for the game and works hard,” Kielblock said. “She is a tough player and I think she will fit in very well with the rest of the girls because she shares the competitive edge that they do.”
The T-Birds will also count on captains Kielblock, Kisting and Lyncoln Podgorny for leadership.
“They have had that drive,” Kielblock said. “I hope they step up to the challenge and push everyone to the potential that we have.”
The team has a bright future, according to Kielblock.
“We have a lot of good up-and-coming younger players that are making a splash in the game and I am excited to see what they do,” she said. “We have a tough conference. I am hoping we can walk away and say that we competed with everybody.”
