Bolts drop conference match to fifth-ranked North Tama

TRAER — Baxter’s volleyball team knew it had to bring its best game with them on the road Tuesday night.

Unfortunately, the best the Bolts had to offer on that night was not good enough against Class 1A No. 5 North Tama.

The Redhawks stayed unbeaten in Iowa Star Conference play with a 25-4, 25-15, 25-15 home victory over the Bolts.

“It was just a tough opponent,” Baxter coach Scott Ranck said. “We didn’t bring the game needed to beat a top team like North Tama. We are going to learn from this game and take away from it those things we need to continue to improve on.”

Senior Sydney Schmidt finished with 12 assists, six digs and one ace, while junior Amber Weltha collected a team-high seven kills and three digs.

Junior Bekka Watt and sophomores Maddie Pierce and Sophie Meyer all had 10 digs.

Meyer also chipped in three kills and three aces and she was 10-for-10 in serves.

The Bolts (5-6 overall, 1-1 in conference play) were 30-of-35 in serves for the match.

North Tama improved to 15-4 overall and 3-0 in the conference.

Baxter stays in Iowa Star Conference play when it hosts Meskwaki Settlement School at 7 p.m. on Thursday in Baxter.