NEWS CHRONICLE PHOTO BY STEVE BRANT - The STC volleyball team celebrates in a match earlier in the season.

Entering the home stretch of their regular season, the STC volleyball team traveled to Vinton-Shellsburg and Union this past week. Facing the Vikettes on Tuesday, Sept. 29, the Trojans turned in a dominating performance, winning in three straight games: 25-16, 25-14, and 25-13.

STC racked up an impressive 33 kills on the night, led by senior Paisley Bro (9), junior Stella Zmolek (7), junior Shelby Johannsen (5), junior Maylee Rucker (4), junior Scout Ridout (4), junior Kenzi Boriskey (3), and junior Brylee Nelson (1). Rucker led the team in assists (16), while junior Layla Pansegrau contributed 11. Ridout led the Trojans in digs with 10. Bro (3), Zmolek (2), Johannsen (2), and Rucker (2) all contributed multiple aces during the evening.

Following the key WaMaC victory in Vinton, STC traveled to LaPorte City on Saturday, Oct. 3, to compete at the Varsity Invitational at Union high school. The Trojans faced difficult competition all day, as they squared off against three teams ranked in the top-10 of their class. STC fell to Beckman Catholic (#4 in Class 2A), Solon (#4 in Class 3A), and Dunkerton (#7 in Class 1A). The Trojans also dropped their match against Edgewood-Colesburg.

After their contests last week at Vinton and Union, STC’s season record stood at 22-12.

The Trojans will travel to Solon high school on Thursday, Oct. 15, to participate in the annual WaMaC conference tournament. Following that, STC will begin Class 3A postseason play. According to the IGHSAU website, class 3A postseason tournament action begins on Tuesday, Oct. 20.