Lady Timberwolves Win Third Match in a Row

The South Central volleyball team made it three wins in a row after sweeping a triangular at Attica Thursday night.

After losing its first four matches of the season, the Lady Timberwolves got a win over Satanta Tuesday, then came to Attica to face the Lady Bulldogs and the Belle Plaine Lady Dragons.

South Central came away with wins in both matches, beating Attica 25-11, 25-11 and beating Belle Plaine 25-11, 25-7.

Head coach Cindy Snyder said that the Lady Timberwolves are young at some positions and it’s been a matter of learning to play with consistency.

“We’re a little bit up and down like a roller coaster, and that’s been a little bit in those losses,” she said.

Snyder noted that the Lady Timberwolves challenged Ingalls, taking that team to three, and did a better job against Meade, taking the Lady Buffaloes to three after losing in two the first time.

“I keep telling the girls, we’re right there,” she said. “Just keep working, keep plugging.”

The head coach was happy to see the girls improve Thursday night, which allowed them to come away with a pair of wins.

“Like I told them in the locker room, you know, tonight we were consistent the whole way through,” Snyder said. “You know, there wasn’t much up and down. We just kind of played solid, and so that’s a big key to us.

“And, you know, we talk about playing with energy a lot throughout the season and practice, and that’s going to carry over, so we’ve been working a lot on that.”

One of the things that Snyder said she has talked to the girls about is hitting. The Lady Timberwolves graduated some good hitters, so it’s been a matter of the girls now at the hitter positions learning how to attack the ball.

As for the back row, though, Snyder said that remains a strong area, even as they have one player out with an injury and another currently out but is set to return soon.

“We’re pretty solid back there,” Snyder said. “We have probably the best back row we’ve had for a few years where we have every position’s always got a good passer back there.”

One player who is key to the team this year is senior setter Piper Price. Snyder said she has been a great leader for the team and can get to the ball about anywhere on the court.

“She’s quick — she’s got good hands,” Snyder said. “She reads what the other team is, you know, where the holes are at, and she can send that ball over pretty well.”

Senior Ellie Murphy has moved to outside hitter and Snyder said she has earned that spot, along with showing good leadership.

“She’s swinging well and so we’re just building from there,” the head coach said.

Senior Remi Martin is a defensive specialist who missed last season with a hip injury. Snyder said she just came back to practice but she had to keep her out for a little bit. However, the head coach said she hopes Martin won’t miss too much time.

“But she’s another good player too that just adds to that back row for us,” Snyder said.

She aid that she talks a lot about bringing energy to every drill, but it’s not always consistent.

“We’re at the same level talking all the time,” Snyder said. “Sometimes it’s me doing all the talking, and so I’m after them about, you know, you guys have to bring that energy, you know, and we talk about that.

“That’s something they can control — the energy, the work ethic, but, you know, just getting out there and just doing that. So we’re trying to fix that in practice so that in game time we’re just used to playing that way.”

The Lady Timberwolves (3-4) will head to Ashland Tuesday to face the host team and Spearville. Snyder said that both teams are young this year, but Ashland was coming all well last year and Spearville is well coached.

After that, South Central will prepare for the Hugoton tournament on Saturday, Sept. 12.