#8 Raptors spoil Storm Lake's home debut

STORM LAKE - After eight straight on the road to start the season, the Storm Lake volleyball team made their home debut in front of a packed house Thursday night as they welcomed Class 2A's 8th-ranked Ridge View to town.

The Tornadoes offered up a strong fight, but the Raptors would end up prevailing in three straight; 25-15, 25-15, 25-19.

"What an exciting night for volleyball in Storm Lake," said Storm Lake head coach Kim Johnson. "Even though we lost the match in three straight sets, the atmosphere in the gym was electric. Both teams had a large fan base and they were loud. The players and coaches really appreciate that. We played so much better than Tuesday against Estherville-Lincoln Central. Ridge View is a rated and we were able to play with them. Our serve receive was much better tonight and that alone made a big difference."

Lily Freking led the Tornadoes with five kills in 16 attempts. She was 7-of-9 serving with four aces and added eight digs. Emily Johnson had four kills, Erin Schuelke had three kills, seven assists and two digs, Maggie Freking had a kill, six digs and two aces, and Callie Kroker had two assists and four digs.

The Tornadoes sit at 6-3 on the year and will head to Carroll today. The green and white then retrun home Tuesday night to take on Cherokee as they begin to enter the thick of Lakes Conference play. Western Christian awaits Tuesday the 25th. Six more Lakes contests follow over the final two and a half weeks of the 3A regular season.

The Tornado junior varsity also fell Thursday by scores of 21-10, 21-10. Erica James had nine digs and Dani Zavala three assists. The SL freshmen squad fell 19-21, 15-21.

Ridge View sits at 15-2 on the year and will be at Westwood, Sloan Tuesday. Next Saturday, they'll host Western Valley Conference tournament action in Schaller.