It wasn't really unexpected. The results of last night's volleyball match, that is. The Chargers made the trek to Urbandale to face Des Moines Christian in what Charger fans hoped would be a match that might keep ACGC in contention for a conference title. However, with DMC tied for the top spot in the WCAC at 4-0 heading into the match, and with non-conference wins over the likes of Newton, Grinnell, Fort Dodge, and Newton, Charger backers knew it was an uphill battle at best. Add the fact that the Lions are the defending conference champions, well...you get the idea.

Our Chargers were no match for the hard hitting Lions, as DMC swept in three sets, 25-18, 25-12, and 25-15. ACGC was competitive in the first set, coming back from a an eleven point deficit at 18-7, to close the gap to 22-18 late in the set before DMC recovered to win the set. Beyond that ACGC never seriously challenged the bigger and stronger Lions. DMC had not one strong hitter, but numerous girls who could really slam the ball. One such kill hit Charger freshman Chloe Largent in the head during the third set. Largent had to leave the court to be checked for a concussion. Fortunately for her there apparently was no injury as she reentered later in the set.

The loss likely drops the Chargers from contention for the WCAC title, as its record fell to 3-2 in the league. With both DMC and Panorama sitting at 5-0 and Woodward-Granger at 5-1, it is doubtful that a conference title is still in the picture for the local girls. This is not to say that the season cannot still be a very successful one. ACGC's conference losses have been to DMC and W-G. Although Panorama is 5-0 in conference play, none of its conference wins have come over teams that have a winning record in league play. So, a strong finish by the Chargers can garner a third, or possibly, a second place finish in the WCAC.

The statistics pretty much tell the same story as the set scores. Although the Chargers had one of their best nights at the service line with a serve efficiency of 96% (only 2 out of 46 serves were not successful), the kill efficiency was at the other end of the scale with a zero efficiency rating. Largent's kill efficiency was a positive at .294, but no other Charger was above zero. This essentially means that DMC was able to defend against ACGC's attack attempts and limited its kills to 13. The Lions on the other hand had 38 kills on the night, indicating again that they were a hard hitting team.

Individual statistics followed the pattern of overall stats--less successful everything against arguably the best team the Chargers have faced all year. Largent led in kills with 7; Audrey Stowe had 10 assists; Olivia Laabs had 7 digs, with "G" Hoover and Largent each coming up with 5; Jadeyn Carrick led in blocks with 6. As indicated, serving was a highpoint, with Carrick, Laabs, and Largent all going 9 for 9.

The Chargers are off until next Tuesday, September 25 when they will host a varsity match with Madrid, scheduled for 7 PM. A junior varsity triangular featuring ACGC, Madrid and CRB will precede the varsity affair at 5 PM. Go Chargers!

Line Score:

ACGC 18 12 15

DMC 25 25 25