The Heron Lake-Okabena-Fulda Coyotes entered their match with Hills-Beaver Creek on Thursday, Nov. 5, with a perfect 4-0 record. Not only did the Coyotes have a perfect record, they also hadn’t dropped a set through four matches.
The visiting Coyotes kept their perfect season alive by sweeping the Patriots, who battled but dropped their fourth straight match and fell to 3-6 overall.
In the first set, the Patriots held an 11-8 lead and looked to be on the verge of handing the Coyotes their first set loss of the season.
The Coyotes responded by outscoring H-BC 17-2 to win the opening set 25-13.
Taylor Durst recorded one kill and one block for the Patriots. Taryn Rauk recorded one ace and one kill.
The Patriots were in control of the second set early, as they jumped out to a 7-2 lead. The Coyotes slowly chipped away at H-BC’s lead.
With the Patriots holding a 19-15 lead, the Coyotes outscored H-BC 10-2 down the stretch to pick up the 25-21 victory.
Abby Knobloch led the Patriots with five kills. Knobloch also recorded one ace.
Kenadie Fick recorded two kills and one ace. Avery Vis added one kill.
The third set saw another extended scoring run by the Coyotes, which proved to be the difference.
With the two teams tied at 12-12, the Coyotes went on a 10-2 run to open up a 22-14 lead. HLO-F went on to win the third set 25-20 to complete the sweep.
Knobloch finished the set with two kills and one block. Emma Kodet and Annie Bos both finished the third set with one ace.
With the loss, the Patriots are now 3-6 overall. The Patriots will look to get back into the win column on Tuesday, Nov. 10, against Mountain Lake Area.
H-BC defeated MLA earlier this season 3-0.
HBC 13 21 20
HLO-F 25 25 25
Kills: Knobloch 8; Fick 4
Assists: Bos 15
Digs: Kodet 5