Spartans Make It Four Straight Volleyball Wins

The Simley High School Spartans continued their winning ways Thursday with a hard-fought Parents Night sweep of visiting South St. Paul in Classic Suburban Conference volleyball at Inver Grove Heights.

The Spartans won 25-17, 25-22 and 25-18.

Simley (2-3 conference, 4-5 overall) won its fourth straight match after starting the season 0-5.

“We played the toughest teams in our conference to start the season, but that made us a better team going into this part of the season,” said varsity coach Mark Kaschke. “We really are enjoying this part of the conference now.”

South St. Paul fell to 0-5, 1-7 on the season.

“I think we’ve stepped it up a lot,” said senior right hitter Maddy Urness. "We got a little behind but we picked ourselves up and finished the game like we needed to. Hopefully when we start playing the teams over again we’ll come back and win."

“I think we’re working more as a team together,” Urness added. Instead of working as equal individuals, I think we’re actually pulling together and starting to work as a whole.”

Junior outside hitter Roda Mena had 14 kills to lead the Spartans,

Emma Russ was 8-for-8 in digs and Jennifer Verway had seven digs. Olivia Ness had three blocks.

“I think we’re playing really good now,” said senior setter Emma Voit. “I think our passing off of serves has improved a lot.”

Simley plays at Henry Sibley (2-3, 2-3) on 7 p.m. next Tuesday.