The Twin Cedars Volleyball Squad split its two matches in the first round of the Bluegrass Conference Tournament on Tuesday winning over Orient-Macksburg in two sets 25-16 and 25-12, but falling to Lamoni 25-18 and 25-22. In match one, the Sabers methodically kept the Bulldogs at arm’s length for most of the match. Orient-Mackburg drew close at 14-12, but a near one minute rally ended when Khloe French blasted a kill down and the Sabers would outscore the Bulldogs the rest of the way 11-4. Twin Cedars closed the 2nd set on a 14-2 run to clinch the match. French ended the match with nine kills. In match two, the Sabers played from behind for the most part, but just when it looked like Lamoni was going to dominate, the Sabers turned a 15-10 deficit into a 17-16 lead. However Twin Cedars was unable to keep momentum and Lamoni ended the match scoring the final three points after it was tied at 22. Coach Shelby Miller told KNIA/KRLS Sports she liked the fight in her team especially in the second set against Lamoni.

Miller: “We came out strong against Orient-Mackburg, we knew Lamoni was going to be tough. We were a little slow in set one against Lamopni and we really started to play like we really wanted it and we had a lot of great blocks and good digs.”

Cristen Durian had four kills and a solo block while Braelynn Larrington had three kills. Amy Mockenhaupt was perfect in 31 serve attempts on the night. Twin Cedars is 10-16 on the season and will now prepare for the first round of the class 1A regional as the Sabers will host Moravia on Monday.