The Staples Motley volleyball girls had a disappointing week, dropping both matches played. The first game to Pelican Rapids and the second, two days later to Pequot Lakes, both 3-0.

This leaves the Cardinals with a 4-11 record. They are 0 - 2 in conference play. The Wolverines from Wadena- Deer Creek are first in the Mid State Conference with a 4-0 record.

Sept. 22 found the Cards on the Pequot Lakes court. The girls kept up with the Patriots for the first game, losing by 25-23.

The second game was a little different, though, with Pequot reaching 25 while the Cards had just 18.

In the third game Staples Motley pulled together to again challenge their opponents, but fell short by

three points.

Coach Kyra Ladd said, "We continue to work hard as a team and we have the physical ability to be successful. Our challenge continues to be on the mental aspect of the game." Senior Ashley Miles continues assisting her teammates with nice sets, putting up 19 during this contest, while fellow senior Nikki Pearson, had seven kills and four digs.

Thursday the girls were again on the road, this time traveling west to Pelican Rapids to play the Vikings for the second time this year. The Cardinals had a tough night, losing 25-12, 25-10 and 25-17.

Nikki Pearson pounded out six kills, while Kelli Roline had four. Miles kept setting up the ball, getting

credit for 14 assists over

the course of the night. "Volleyball is a game of

momentum and reaction and we need to do a better job of controlling the momentum on our side of the net and reacting to the flow of the game on the court," Ladd said. "If we can get in control of the mental side of the game, we will have success as a team."

This week will see the Cardinal girls on their home court for both games. Tuesday Menahga was in Staples, two nights later it will be the Bertha Hewitt Bears. Varsity games start at 7:30, with C-Squad/JV starting at 6:00.

Volleyball results

Pequot Lakes 3, Staples Motley 0

Pequot Lakes 25-23; 25-18; 25- 22

Lonna Dumprope: 1 dig

Kelly Reese: 3 digs

Abby Smith: 5 kills, 2 locks, 1 ace serve, 2 digs

Kelli Roline: 5 kills, 1 dig

Nikki Pearson: 7 kills, 2 blocks, 4 digs

Kelly Pearson: 1 kill, 4 blocks, 1 ace serve, 1 dig

Jennifer Vaquez: 1 kill, 1 set assist

Ashley Miles: 3 kills, 19 set assist, 1 dig

Pelican Rapids 3, Staples Motley 0

Pelican Rapids 25-12; 25- 10;25-17

Lonna Dumprope: 2 digs

Abby Smith: 1 kill, 1 dig

Kelli Roline: 4 kills, 1 ace serve

Nikki Pearson: 6 kills, 2 blocks, 2 set assists

Kelly Pearson: 2 kills, 1 block, 1 dig

Jennifer Vasquez: 1 kill, 2 digs

Ashley Miles: 3 kills, 14 set assists