STORY CITY – Atop the Heart of Iowa Conference and thinking about the possibility of winning the league championship just a little over a week ago, the South Hamilton volleyball team has suddenly fallen on hard times.

A pair of ranked teams are to thank.

Coming off a 3-0 loss to fourth-ranked (Class 3A) Nevada last week, the Hawks were again swept on Tuesday, this time by No. 12 (3A) Roland-Story.

The Norsemen (12-4, 5-1 HOIC), winners of nine of their last 10 matches, forced South Hamilton (12-6, 4-2 HOIC) to play catch up throughout the bout en route to the 25-21, 25-18, 25-22 victory.

Power hitter Lauren Himan smacked a match-high 16 kills and Roland-Story piled up 33 in all compared to just 14 for the Hawks. Alyssa Hegland, back in the lineup after a layoff because of illness, led South Hamilton with eight kills. Ady Wintermote chipped in four and a team-high 11 digs.

Neither team exactly wowed the crowd from behind the service line. Both served just 82 percent and they combined to make 25 errors, but Roland-Story opened up a 14-4 edge in aces. All seven girls that went behind the line collected at least one ace, led by Alexa Whipple with four. Whipple also cranked five kills and notched a match-high 19 digs.

The Moss sisters – Alissa (eight) and Anna (six) – combined for 14 digs for the Hawks. Carly Swenson added six digs and a team-best seven assists.

Awaiting South Hamilton next week is a third straight ranked foe, as it will be back at home to host No. 14 (3A) North Polk on Tuesday.

Nevada is the last unbeaten in league play and the Cubs hold a one-match cushion on one-loss Roland-Story and North Polk. South Hamilton and Greene County share fourth with two losses.