PHOTO CREDIT: SHAYNA ZMOLEK – The STC volleyball team celebrates their championship at the STC Invitational.

It was an eventful week last week for the STC volleyball team. To start the week, the Trojans hosted Grinnell on Tuesday, Sept. 22, for a key WaMaC matchup late in the season.

In a hard-fought match in a crowded STC high school gym, the Trojans fell, 3-1, to the Tigers. After Grinnell won the first two sets, 25-20 and 29-27, STC came back to take the third set, 25-19. But the Tigers closed out the night with a 25-17 victory in the fourth set to take the entire match.

On the night, the Trojans had two players with double-digit kills — senior Paisley Bro (11) and junior Stella Zmolek (10). Bro also led the team in digs (12), while Zmolek led STC in blocks (4). Junior Maylee Rucker led the team in assists (14), while junior Layla Pansegrau contributed 12. Three other Trojans notched double digits in digs, including junior Scout Ridout (12), junior Brylee Nelson (11), and Rucker (10). Junior Shelby Johannsen contributed 4 blocks, while junior Kenzi Boriskey chipped in 3. STC had three players with two aces on the night: junior Sydney Arp, Rucker, and Johannsen.

Later in the week, on Thursday, Sept. 24, the Trojans traveled to Aplington-Parkersburg to face the Class 2A, #8 rated Falcons. STC dropped the match, 3-0.

Looking to bounce back from a couple of tough losses, the Trojans hosted the annual STC Invite on Saturday, Sept. 26. STC responded in a big way, going a perfect 12 for 12 in matches they played throughout the course of the day.

NEWS CHRONICLE PHOTOS BY STEVE BRANT – STC junior Scout Ridout (left) and junior Kenzi Boriskey (right, #1) attempt a block against Grinnell.

In opening pool play, the Trojans won, 2-0, against: East Marshall (21-18, 21-19), North Mahaska (21-16, 22-20), Springville (21-11, 21-9), and Pleasantville (21-11, 21-18).

That led STC to the semifinals, where they faced Lisbon. Winning in two sets, 21-12 and 21-11, the Trojans moved on to a rematch with North Mahaska in the championship. Dominating the match, 21-16 and 21-9, STC took the crown in their home tournament.

Following the week of competition, the Trojan’s season record sits at 21-8. With a lot of action remaining, the team’s 21 wins is already the most wins for the program in 17 years (20-17-1 in 2009).

STC now enters the home stretch of their regular-season schedule. They will travel to LaPorte City on Saturday, Oct. 3, for the Varsity Invitational at Union High School. The Trojans’ final regular season appearance at home will be a contest against Benton on Tuesday, Oct. 6. STC will then travel to Solon on Thursday, Oct. 15, to participate in the annual WaMaC Tournament.

STC senior Paisley Bro records one of her 11 kills against Grinnell.

STC junior Stella Zmolek records one of her 10 kills against Grinnell.

STC junior Layla Pansegrau recorded 12 assists for the Trojans against Grinnell.