The Exira-EHK Volleyball Team is off to their best start in recent memory. The Spartans are 9-3 and hold the second-best winning percentage in the Rolling Valley Conference behind Coon Rapids Bayard. After their thrilling win over Boyer Valley last night, Exira-EHK has now won four straight.  As a team, they lead the conference in kill efficiency and rank in the top five in blocks. Head Coach Derek Reischauer says he appreciates his team’s speed and ability to play everywhere on the court.

The Spartans have found their success this year with a young roster. Among the 13 listed players, Mayne Jorgensen is the only senior who sees consistent varsity time. Defensively, she ranks second on the team in digs and third in service efficiency. In his third year at Exira-EHK coach Reischauer says she’s been a solid leader for the team.

The cousin duo of Jaelynn and Taryn Petersen are leading the way statistically for the Spartans. Jaelynn, a junior, ranks in the top 10 in kills and is 4th in the conference in kill efficiency while sophomore Taryn leads the conference in kill efficiency while leading the team defensively in digs. Reischauer praised their athleticism while crediting much of their success to it.

The Spartans are off to their best start since 2012 and are looking for their first winning record in several years. When asked about his team’s aspirations for the remainder of the year, Reischauer had only one thing in mind.

Exira-EHK will look to continue their winning ways on Thursday when they take on Glidden-Ralston at home. The contest is scheduled for 7:30 pm.

Hawkeye Ten Conference

• 3A #15 Clarinda 3, St. Albert 1
• Creston 3, Harlan 2
• 4A #9 Glenwood 3, 3A #7 Kuemper 1
• 2A #15 Shenandoah 3, Red Oak 1

Corner Conference

• A #12 Sidney 3, Griswold 0
• 1A #11 East Mills 3, Bedford 0
• Fremont Mills Triangular (Hamburg, Stanton)
• 1A #10 Fremont Mills 3, Hamburg 0
• 1A #13 Stanton 3, 1A #10 Fremont Mills 0

Pride of Iowa Conference

• Nodaway Valley Triangular (Southeast Warren, Mount Ayr)
• Southeast Warren 2, Nodaway Valley 0
• Southeast Warren 2, Mount Ayr 1
• Martensdale St Mary’s Triangular (Southwest Valley, Wayne)
• Southwest Valley 2, Martensdale St. Mary’s 0
• Southwest Valley 2, Wayne 0
• Wayne 2, Martensdale St. Mary’s 0
• East Union Triangular (Lenox, Central Decatur)
• Central Decatur 2, East Union 0
• Lenox 2, Central Decatur 0
• Lenox 2, East Union 0

Rolling Valley Conference

• Exira EHK 3, Boyer Valley 0
• CAM 3 Paton-Churdan 0
• Woodbine 3, Coon Rapids Bayard 2
• Glidden Ralston 3, Ar-We-Va 0

West Central Conference

• AC/GC 3, I-35 0
• Panorama 3, Madrid 0
• Earlham 3, West Central Valley 2
• Van Meter 3, Pleasantville 0

Western Iowa Conference

• Treynor 3, Audubon 0
• 1A #3 Riverside 3, Missouri Valley 0
• Tri-Center 3, Logan-Magnolia 0
• Underwood 3, AHSTW 0

The CAM football team is in prime position for a postseason run with three games remaining in the regular season. CAM is on a four-game winning streak with wins over Griswold, East Mills, Coon-Rapids Bayard, and, most recently, their rivals in Exira-EHK. In that stretch, they have outscored opponents 218-74. Although they dropped their opening game of the season to Audubon, head coach Barry Bower’s message has remained the same ever since: improve every game.

Amid a winning streak, it can be easy for a group to get complacent. However, the Cougars are looking to be ever-diligent and are focusing on the details of the game. Bower says the team’s resiliency and ability to learn is something he appreciates about this CAM team.

Leading the way for the CAM this season is their senior quarterback Makade Paulsen. Paulsen ranks in the top three in 4 statistical categories, including total touchdowns and rushing yards. Through 4 games, Paulsen has racked up 1,024 offensive yards and 21 total touchdowns.  Bower not only appreciates but also credits the way Paulsen carries himself as the reason for his success on the field

CAM is now the 8th ranked team in the Iowa 8-player class according to Radio Iowa’s most recent poll. However, Bower and the Cougars aren’t on the postseason possibilities. They are taking it one step at a time.

The Cougars will look to continue their mindset of improvement and attention to detail in their final three games. They will be on the road for the next two, facing 2-3 Sidney this week before heading out to face 4-1 Fremont Mills. They will finish out the season at home against Stanton on the 18th.