GUERNSEY – COVID positive results have hit all across America, but the small schools with limited athletes are the groups that are being hit the hardest. Some schools have had to cancel games due to COVID and others have even had to cancel their seasons.

Guernsey’s Lady Vikings are maneuvering through the COVID minefields and have been fortunate to field a team and compete in games.

This past week the team dropped three tough games at the Newcastle Invite. In the first game against Upton, they lost 25-14 and 25-5. In the second game against Midwest, they lost 2-1 in sets, 25-23, 22-25, and 13-15. They also played tough in the third game against Hulett, but lost 2-1 in sets, 23-25, 16-25 and 11-15.

In the first game, they came up against a strong and powerful Upton team and although they showed signs of life in the first game, the Lady Bobcats came out firing in the second game.

The team was led against Upton in kills with three by Chloee Heer. As a team, the serving percentage was one of the lowest on the year, converting only 70.6% of their serves. Bella Milton had one blocked shot to lead the team and both Heer and Macoyia Stoneking ended up with three digs a piece. Heer also led the team with 13 returns.

In game two Guernsey faced a team that they had beaten Sept. 19 by a score of 3-0. The Midwest Oilers were more than ready for the Vikings this time, however in a closely fought match. The team lost by a three-game total of only 5 points. The first set went back and forth until a furious rally by the Oilers at the end sealed the victory 25-23. Guernsey came out in the second game with a chip on their shoulder and prevailed, winning by 3 points, 25-22. The match set was a nail-biter and Guernsey came out stunned and beaten 15-13. Overall, for the three games, Midwest outscored the Vikings 62 -61 and it just doesn’t get any closer.

The team was led by Milton and Afton Kelley with 4 kills apiece. With their confidence in knowing that they could beat Midwest, their serving percentage was nearly perfect at 97.1%. Kayla Scott led the team with 4 aces. Kelley led the team in blocks with 2, and for a team, the girls gathered 27 digs, the leader being Heer with 7 and close on her heels was sophomore Paige Andrews with 6. Andrews also led the team in assists while Elmore led the team in returns with 18.

Game three was lost to Hulett, but the Lady Vikings came away with one set which is something they couldn’t accomplish when they were shut out by Hulett Sept. 25. The lady spikesters came out red-hot and with tremendous teamwork, they defeated the Devils in the first game 25-23 in another close game.

In the second stanza, the girls again played tough, but the experience and strength of Hulett prevailed in the final two sets and the girls boarded the bus for the long 2 ½ hour bus ride home. 

Kill leaders were Heer and Milton with 5 each. The team was led in aces by Scott with 3 and the team serving percentage dipped a bit as they registered 84.6% of serves. Elmore led the team in blocked shots with two and Heer led the team in digs with 7. Andrews and Stoneking each had 3 assists and Stoneking led the team in returns with 17.