For the final time this season, seven members of the HCHS girls varsity cross country gathered in Fort Dodge Saturday to compete in the state meet. Senior Jenna Gessert, Juniors Emily Schechinger and Taylor Bieker, Sophomores Lindsey Sonderman, Kayla Anderson and Brylee Schechinger and Freshman Lily Schechinger represented HCHS.

Senior wide receiver and future Hawkeye Aidan Hall was the star of the night for the HCHS varsity football team as he had three touchdowns en route to a 42-7 first round playoff victory over the 6-3 #9 ranked MOC-Floyd Valley Dutchmen to begin the challenge of a title defense.

The HCHS girls swim team competed Tuesday night at the Lewis Central Invite and multiple girls stood out, including Senior Elaina Vrchoticky who won the 200-yard freestyle beating out the 2021 champion Hannah Steinmets, whose time was 2:08.82.
Vrchoticky also finished second in the 100-yard freestyle event, right on the tail of Lewis Central’s Sydnie Collins. Due to her efforts, she managed to stand on the podium with a few medals.

Wednesday night on the road, the AHSTW Vikings varsity volleyball team battled the Missouri Valley Lady Reds (32-6) in the Class 2A Region 3 Quarterfinal, but lost in three straight sets; 25-12, 25-6 and 25-16.
The Vikings were led by Freshman Halle Goodman with 12 assists, Junior Delaney Goshorn with two blocks and Senior Grace Porter with 12 digs. It was not enough as the Lady Reds overpowered them en route to victory.

Monday night on the road, postseason volleyball began for the HCHS varsity team as they battled the Cherokee Washington Braves, losing three straight sets; 25-16, 25-21 and 25-20.
This was the seventh consecutive loss for the Cyclones ending its hopes of making a deep postseason run. The Cyclones finished its season with an 11-19 record.

Volleyball playoffs got underway Monday in Avoca as the AHSTW Vikings and the IKM-Manning Wolves battled each other in a winner-take-all game. The Vikings got the best of the Wolves winning three of four sets.
The Wolves finished 2-23 on the season, but head coach McKaylie Croghan was still proud of how they battled all season long.
“I just told them how I was proud of how they didn’t give up during the game,” Croghan said.

Monday on the road, the Exira-EHK Spartans started its playoff journey against the CAM Cougars in hopes of making a deep run, but came up short losing three straight sets; 25-16, 25-8 and 25-14.
The Spartans finished its season 11-22, losing the final two matches. Head Coach Derek Reischauer spoke to his team following the contest.

The Exira-EHK varsity volleyball team lost to Boyer Valley Tuesday night at home in three consecutive sets, 25-12, 25-21 and 25-22.
But before the game, Seniors Quinn Grubbs, MaKenna Larson, Shay Burmeister and Makenzie Riley were honored. It was also Pink Out Night, with many wearing pink to show support for breast cancer awareness month.

After three sets played, the Exira-EHK Spartans varsity volleyball team was trailing 2-1, but came back to finish off the Coon Rapids-Bayard Crusaders by winning the final two sets, 25-15 and 15-8.
With this victory, it marks the ninth on the season. The Spartans were shorthanded for these games only have nine girls available, including the absence of Senior Makenzie Riley, but played hard and were determined to win.

It’s often that sports can come down to the little things like communication or one or two plays going differently. That certainly proved to be the case for the HCHS varsity volleyball team as Thursday night at home, they battled the Atlantic Trojans and dropped three of five sets played after having a 2-1 advantage on them heading into set four.

Tuesday at home, the Exira-EHK varsity volleyball team welcomed the Glidden-Ralston Wildcats to town but it did not go their way, as they dropped three straight matches, losing the final set by 11 points.
In set one, the Wildcats were dominating, early and eventually winning, 25-10. The Spartans came back stronger in game two, only dropping the set 25-22.

Stephen Leinen, HCHS placekicker/punter and member of the National Honor Society (NHS), is looking to support his NHS project by raising funds for Colleen’s Dream. 
Colleen’s Dream is dedicated to funding scientific research with the primary goal of developing an accurate and accessible early-detection test for ovarian cancer.

Volleyball can sometimes come down to one mistake here or there, maybe a miscommunication among teammates or it could be sometimes the ball just doesn’t bounce your way.
While the AHSTW varsity volleyball team’s record doesn’t indicate how hard they’ve fought each and every night, the Vikings dropped three sets played Thursday at home against the Tri-Center Trojans, including their final set by three points.

Emotions are a part of sports and winning is not easy and never guaranteed. Tuesday at home, the HCHS varsity volleyball team ran up against a buzz saw as the Red Oak Tigers dominated them, winning three straight sets 25-21, 25-19 and 25-15. According to head coach Elle Crees, communication was the biggest challenge of the night.

The struggles continue for the IKM-Manning Wolves varsity volleyball team as it falls to 1-9 on the season losing its seventh consecutive match. Tuesday at home, they lost three straight to the Treynor Cardinals, dropping the final set by 15 points.