Paton-Churdan traveled to Woodbine for Monday night Rolling Valley Activities Conference volleyball with Coach Nikki Uebel’s team losing in sets. Scores were 4-25, 17-25, 17-25, and the Rockets are now 1-5 overall in matches and 0-2 in conference play while the Tigers are 3-6.

There’s an old saying, “If it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all!” Unfortunately, the Rockets have experienced bad luck early this season and are down two players due to non-volleyball injuries. According to Coach Uebel, junior Ella Tasler, the setter for the Rockets, injured one of her thumbs in Jefferson on Sunday playing Powder Puff football as part of Greene County Homecoming activities and did not play vs. Woodbine. On Sept. 7, starting outside hitter Kaliyah Minnihan, also a junior, suffered a broken jaw playing softball in Des Moines and her volleyball season is over, according to the coach.

Freshman Edynn Smith played setter and Coach Uebel said she had a great game with three assists, two kills, two ace serves, and the coach said she played great defensively as wel as passed the ball great all night. Coach Uebel added, “Chloe Happe is another freshman with a big game. She moved to middle tonight and was in on a few blocks and had a great kill. She also served 100% again and had four assists. Alivya (Smith) continues to get better. She was hitting left side tonight and really showed up as a leader and she was very vocal on the court. She had an ace, two kills, and seven digs.”

The match at Woodbine is the only one this week for the Rockets.