The Allen Community College volleyball team is on a hot streak after picking up their third win in a row following Wednesday’s sweep of Independence.
The Red Devils volleyball team extended its win streak to four after sweeping Independence 25-13, 25-9 and 25-15 Monday night.
The Red Devils (11-2, 2-1) wasted little time in dispatching Jayhawk Conference foe Independence (7-13, 0-3) while improving their position in the conference standings. They sit in a four-way tie for second place with Neosho County, Highlands and Johnson County.
“They played disciplined early on, but we tell them to keep doing the little things, especially when we have momentum,? Allen coach Maria Aikins said.
Wednesday?s sweep was a true team effort, with only a few points and percentages separating Allen’s team leaders in every statistical category. Sophomore middle hitter Chloe Curls had a team leading eight kills, just ahead of outside freshman hitter Maria Santana with seven. Freshman defensive specialist Alissa Hadzic and sophomore middle hitter Laurel ?Grace? Larimore had six each. Although sophomore libero Audrey Peek had a team-leading two aces, the Red Devils made the most of Santana?s reliable arm. She provided a slew of successful serves while setting off a lengthy run of Allen scores and putting Independence out of commission early in the second set.
?I?ve never stood there for so long and served. I was just trying to stay focused,? Santana said.
Although Peek?s team-leading pair of aces set her apart on the stat sheet, her biggest contribution came on defense, with 19 digs. Larimore also had a strong all-around performance with a pair of blocks to complement her six kills.
?We practice trying to hit around a block, but I have to give credit to my setters too,? Larimore said. ?They were setting up some good balls. Audrey is very good at calling out where to swing and that is really helpful.?
After participating in a tournament in Kansas City this weekend, the Red Devils return to the hardwood Wednesday to face top-ranked Johnson County. While a win next Wednesday would separate Allen from the pack in the conference standings, Red Devils players and coaches may take more pleasure in defeating the Cavaliers, who have been a thorn in Allen?s side for decades.
?Every day is a learning opportunity, every game and every practice, Aikins said. ?We’re just trying to stay focused, trying to hone each other’s role. If they do their job every night, everything will work out.?
