Volleyball team rallies late but comes up short against Cougars

CHARLES CITY, Iowa — The Bulldogs’ season ended Wednesday, but the team refused to go out without a fight.

The Sumner-Fredericksburg volleyball team defeated Lake Mills 3-1 Wednesday during the Class 2A Region 6 finals at Charles City, ending Lake Mills’ season. Game scores were 25-18, 25-22, 18-25 and 25-16.

The team created a hole for itself early on Wednesday by losing the first two games to the Cougars. A close Game 2, a strong Game 3 win and a rallying Game 4 kept the match close to the very end.

“I was very proud of the girls tonight,” Lake Mills coach Jim Boehmer said. “Losing hurts and we will deal with that, but the girls showed some resilience and determination and — better yet — solid character.”

Seniors Madison Shifflett and Kelsea Heintzman were stat leaders for the Bulldogs. Heintzman had 26 assists and 10 digs. Shifflett had 10 kills and four blocks, during an already-emotional week, according to Boehmer.

“(She) lost her grandma this week and this 18-year-old kid played her heart out for her grandma tonight,” he said. “Her teammates supported her all week and also learned that life is full of many ups and downs, and that they have to appreciate being a part of something special.”

While the loss obviously wasn’t what he had hoped for, Boehmer came away from the match proud of his team.

“Most people know I don’t deal with losing very well. But, tonight I feel great,” he said. “I really do, because of 18 (high school) girls who represented our varsity team tonight.”