NEWS CHRONICLE PHOTOS BY STEVE BRANT – STC junior Sydney Arp serves against Columbus Catholic.

The STC volleyball team hosted their first round playoff game on Tuesday, Oct. 20, when Waterloo Columbus Catholic came to town. Playing in Class 3A, Region 3, the Trojans swept the Sailors, 3-0, to take the match and move on in their postseason bracket.

“We brought the energy tonight,” said junior outside hitter Scout Ridout after the match. “We had to leave it all out there knowing that it could be our last game.”

STC’s opening two sets were competitive, as they defeated Columbus 25-21 and 25-18. However, the Trojans came out and dominated the third and deciding set, 25-7, to secure the victory.

“It’s a lot of fun and it shows how hard we’ve worked all season long,” Ridout said. “It was really special that we got to have this longer season and play at our home gym.”

On the night, Ridout and senior Paisley Bro led the Trojans with 9 kills each. Junior Stella Zmolek contributed 6, while junior Kenzi Boriskey had 4. Junior setters Maylee Rucker and Layla Pansegrau led STC in assists with 15 and 9 respectively. Boriskey and junior Shelby Johannsen led the team with 5 blocks, while junior Brylee Nelson (9), Ridout (8), and Bro (8) were leaders in digs. At the serving line, Bro led the team in aces with 4.

STC junior Brylee Nelson returns serve against Columbus Catholic.

With the victory, the Trojans moved on to the second round of the region 3 bracket, where they were scheduled to face Dike-New Hartford (34-10). The Wolverines advanced by defeating Oelwein and are ranked #3 in Class 3A.

Speaking about the match to come, Ridout commented on the challenge that the Wolverines presented.

“It’s going to take us bringing the energy and being super aggressive. Dike is a fast team, so we have to pick up our speed and give it right back to them,” she said.

STC traveled to Dike two days later on Thursday, Oct. 22. The Wolverines proved to be difficult competition for the Trojans, as they went on to defeat STC, 3-0 (25-9, 25-17, 25-21). Playing in her final game as a Trojan, Bro led the team in kills with 13. Zmolek added 7 during the match. Rucker (15) and Pansegrau (8) led the team in assists, while junior Sydney Arp paced STC with 16 digs.

With the loss, the Trojans’ season came to an end. STC completed their season with a final record of 25-14. According to STC’s social media account, the 25 wins are the most in program history. Seniors on this year’s record-breaking squad included Bro and Desiray Popelka.

STC junior Scout Ridout scores one of her team-leading 9 kills against Columbus Catholic.

STC junior Stella Zmolek returns serve against Columbus Catholic.

STC senior Paisley Bro records one of her team leading 9 kills against Columbus Catholic.

STC junior Kenzi Boriskey serves against Columbus Catholic.

STC junior Maylee Rucker dives to return serve against Columbus Catholic.

STC junior Brylee Nelson (#3) celebrates the Trojans' match point and victory over Columbus Catholic.