The Red Devils took on the Independence Pirates in a conference matchup on Wednesday, October 6th. During the first set the Red Devils would take an early lead due to aggressive serving and errors from Independence. The Lady Red Devils would cruise to a solid finish in the first set winning 25-17. The second set was a similar story. A strong start from the Lady Red Devils, however less errors from Independence made for a much more interesting set. Allen would have to be creative and find different ways to put the ball away. The pieces would fall in the Devils favor allowing a 2-0 lead in the match winning the second set 25-21. The Devils would come out in the third set with a slower start than they had hoped for, constantly fighting point for point with the Pirates. At one point the Red Devils would find themselves down 22-17.
They would battle back and push to shorten the gap 23-22, but would ultimately come up short, losing the set 25-22. After being humbled by a slow start the Lady Red Devils knew the fourth set was a must win. It would be a constant battle back and forth, with changes to the line up being made on both sides. The game would come down to a block from the Red devils, and a kill From Patricia Rodriguez to win the set 27-25. This conference win would be huge for the Red Devils and push them to 5-2 in conference play, putting them in a three way tie for third place in the conference, with Johnson County and Neosho.
The Devils were led offensively by Sophomores Madison Saia (10 kills), Sadie Bakeberg (13 kills, 3 Solo Blocks, 5 Block Assists), and Bethany Williams (13 kills, 2 Block Assists). Defensively the Devils were carried by Freshman Karsyn Smith with 16 digs, Sophomore Alexis Hafenstine with 13 digs, and Freshman Aurivette Santos with 16 digs and 3 service aces.
The Red Devil volleyball team will be back in action Monday evening at 6:00pm in Iola, Kansas to take on Ottawa JV in a non-conference match.