The ACGC Chargers Volleyball team is flying high after picking up five wins last week to push their record to 9-3 as they have won seven of their last nine matches. This included handing #2 Riverside their only loss of the season.  They were able to pull off the win in a 2-1 nail-biter, with all three sets being decided by three points or less. Head Coach Barb South praised and credited her team’s attitude for their special performance.

In the match against Riverside and throughout the first 12 games of the season, sophomore Stella Largent has been one of the Chargers’ most dynamic players. She leads the West Central Athletic Conference with 206 kills. That’s 95 more than 2nd place on the leaderboard. She is also second in service aces and fifth in Kill efficiency. South says her drive and dedication are a big reason for her success.

The Chargers are also led by their senior captain Shay Lemke. Lemke is a third-year starter at the setter position and leads the WCAC with 272 assists. She is also the conference’s top server with 32 aces. Her versatility as a setter and range help set her apart, but one can not underestimate the value of leadership when it comes to team success.

In addition to causing havoc to opposing teams, ACGC’s high-powered offense has another purpose besides improving what is already a strong service team. That is, preparing the Chargers defense. ACGC has three players, including Becca Littler and Camdyn Richter, in the top 20 in digs. South says the quality of her servers helps prepare them for what’s to come.

ACGC will be in action next Tuesday When they host the 11-6 East Sac County Raiders.

AHSTW MEET

1. Treynor (57 points) — 7. Madalyn Kerkmann (22:25.70), 8. Ryleigh Thomas (22:37.50), 15. Lilly Yochum (23:21.10) 

2. Tri-Center (69 points) — 11. Quincey Schneckloth (22:39.30), 12. Addison Boden (22:55.30), 14. Isah VanArsdol (23:11.50)

3. Logan-Magnolia (70 points) — 1. Allysen Johnsen (21:03.10), 2. Madison Sporrer (21:14.20)

4. Boyer Valley (76 points) — 3. Hailey Cue (21:16.70)

5. St. Albert (109 points) — 6. McKayla Markel (22:38.20) 

6. IKM-Manning (112 points) — 10. Raegan Garrison (22:38.40), 13. Emily Albertsen (23:05.90)

NTS. Woodbine — 4. Adyson Lapel (22:13.30), 6. Reagan Cogdill (22:21.20)

NTS. AHSTW 

NTS. Missouri Valley

NTS. Griswold 

NTS. CAM

NTS. Exira/EHK

NTS. Underwood 

STORM LAKE MEET

1. Harlan (52 points) — 1. Lindsey Sonderman (18:34.44), 5. Ashlyn Rau (20:16.58), 13. Brylee Schechinger (21:26.05)

5. Denison-Schleswig (140 points) — 9. Lola Mendlik (20:53.40), 12. Alexa Tremblay (21:22.04)

7. Sioux City North (172 points) — 11. Marcella Palmer (21:06.03)

9. LeMars (198 points) 

AHSTW MEET

1. Riverside (37 points) — 2. Dawson Henderson (17:10.00), 4. Brody Henderson (17:39.00), 5. Eli Hudnall (17:57.30), 6. Owen Fenner (17:57.60)

2. Woodbine (64 points) — 1. Gunner Wagner (17:03.80), 11. Aiden Summerfield (18:24.40)

3. Tri-Center (70 points) — 7. Haven Weers (18:06.30), 9. Brennan Boden (18:11.80), 13. Evan Wham (18:33.90)

4. St. Albert (92 points) — 12. Jackson Walter (18:26.50), 14. Joey Mazzella (18:34.90)

5. IKM-Manning (137 points)

6. Missouri Valley (160 points)

7. Boyer Valley (166 points) — 15. Dane Gotham (18:36.90)

8. Exira/EHK (209 points) — 10. Austin Rasmussen (18:20.00)

NTS. Griswold — 8. Holden Jensen (18:11.10)

NTS. Logan-Magnolia

NTS. Missouri Valley

NTS. Underwood

NTS. Treynor

NTS. CAM

STORM LAKE MEET

3. Sioux City North (87 points) — 1. Ben Hames (17:28.03), 9. Even Swaggerty (18:01.22)

8. Denison-Schleswig (207 points) — 3. Kevin Sanchez (17:33.38)

9. LeMars (227 points) — 10. Aaron Lee (18:01.76)

10. Harlan (243 points)

Although the results haven’t quite been there for the Nodaway Valley Football team the Wolverines will look to change that this Friday night when they take on the on the Woodward-Granger Hawks. For co-head coach Jack West, he is proud that his team has improved on the things that he has put in front of them.

One thing that Nodaway Valley does have is lots of young talent. West says the junior and sophomore classes “are really big classes for us in terms of just numbers and also the talent and work ethic”.  On the defensive side of the ball junior Ahston Hannold and sophomore Caleb Christensen led the team and are in the top 20 in the Pride of Iowa Conference in total tackles. West says he’s happy to see their progress on the field.

Offensively senior Paul Berg is leading the ground attack with 107 yards on just seven carries. This includes a 75-yard Touchdown run, which is the longest in the conference to date.  Berg was actually a late add to the Wolverine squad. Having prior football experience Berg joined the team shortly before the school year started and has had no problem finding success. West has found that he a knack for running the football.

Nodaway Valley will have a tough test this Friday. Woodward-Granger comes in with a 2-1 record and 1,005 yards of total offense, including 485 yards through the air. West knows that it’ll be a challenge to slow Talan Fuson, Max Dalton, and the Hawk offense.

Kickoff in Greenfield is scheduled for 7pm.

Iowa prepares for the 118th meeting against Minnesota in the Twin Cities. For the Hawkeyes it is the Big Ten opener and their first road test of the season.

That’s Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz who expects this to continue a string of close games in the series.

Iowa won four of five road games last season.

Ferentz feels quarterback Cade McNamara and the offense are making progress but the Hawkeyes have yet to play a complete game.

The Hawkeye defense has been victimized by three long touchdown passes the past two weeks and the Hawkeyes gave up a punt return for a touchdown in a 38-21 win over Troy.

Iowa State coach Matt Campbell is approaching a milestone. Campbell is one victory shy of tying Dan McCarney as ISU’s all-time leader in wins. The 20th ranked Cyclones close non conference play at home on Saturday against Arkansas State.

Campbell is in his ninth season as Cyclone coach.

The Cyclones are 2-0 and ranked 20th but Campbell says they are only focused on improvement.

Under former Tennessee coach Butch Jones Arkansas State is 2-1 after a 28-18 loss at Michigan.

Even though the bye week came early Campbell felt it was productive.