There was a popular song in the early 1960's called "What a Difference a Day Makes", initially made popular by Dinah Washington. It was a love song about how things can change for the better in a short period of time. In the case of the ACGC volleyball team it was a matter of two days, and it wasn't about love---it was about a remarkable turn around from a sub par performance in Tuesday against CRB to one of its best performances of the season on Thursday. On second thought, maybe it was about love. Tuesday the Chargers played with little passion--no doubt a factor in that sub par performance. Thursday, passion abounded in the Chargers' convincing non-conference victory over Exira-Elkhorn-Kimballton in three sets, 25-12, 25-13, and 25-18.

On a night when the six ACGC seniors and their parents were honored, the Chargers were relentless in their hitting, digging, blocking, setting and serving. Virtually ever facet of the game was played with great skill and passion. As a team, the Chargers recorded 27 kills on 69 attempts, (good for a 29% efficiency rating), 48 digs, 10 blocks, and a serve efficiency of 91%, including 18 ace serves (second highest of the season).

Interestingly, the Chargers fell behind early in each set. Trailing in set one by a 2-1 margin, ACGC scored six consecutive points with Genevieve Hoover at the serve and duplicated that with Chelsea Larsen serving a bit later to take a commanding 19-9 lead. In set two the Chargers broke away from 3-2 deficit to score seven consecutive points with Olivia Laabs serving and once again duplicated that later in the set when Samantha Sloss served for seven straight points to make the score 20-9. The third set was more competitive, as Ex-EHK hung around with neither team putting together any long runs. Nevertheless the Chargers prevailed to finish the match with a 3-0 shutout.

MaKayla Hoing led the team in hitting with 9 kills in 19 attempts, while Jadeyn Carrick had 7 kills in 12 tries. Good serving abounded, with Samantha Sloss being perfect from the serve line, going 13 for 13 with 7 aces (tied for individual best for the season), while Mady Smith went 8 for 8, Genevieve "G" Hoover was 16 of 17, Chelsea Larsen was 11 for 12, and Olivia Laabs was 14 of 16. Larsen led in assists with 15 and Hoing was tops in digs with 12. Morgan Meachem led the team in blocks with a personal best of 4 blocks.

Coach Lyndsey Noe was obviously pleased with the team's turn around, as she commented, "We bounced back to sweep Exira-EHK for out last regular season match. All around we made plays from blocking to passing to hitting. But overall, it was our serving that dominated the match. We were 67-74 from the serving line with 18 aces. I am proud of the way we played tonight, and this level of play is a great way to move into the post season."

The six seniors who were honored, along with their parents, were Haley Bates, MacKenzie Davis, MaKayla Hoing, Morgan Meachem, Haley Sheeder, and Madi Smith. Sheeder was injured early in the season and was unable to play, while Bates served as the team's manager.

The win gives the Chargers a 20 win season, with the overall record standing at 20-9. Regional tournament play begins next week, but the local girls won't see action in the first round. The Chargers drew a bye in the first round and will face the winner of Madrid and Panorama in a Region 3 quarterfinal match on Monday, Oct. 23 on the ACGC court at 7 PM.