They want their final run with the Webster City volleyball team to be memorable and they’re off to a pretty good start.

Playing what Lynx head coach Jess Howard called the best volleyball of their careers, the seniors powered WCHS to the team title at Saturday’s St. Edmond Invite. The Lynx (5-0) swept all 10 sets on the day and won by an average of eight points per set, not exactly close in a race to 21.

“The maturity and leadership was great from those four and that’s what you want to see,” Howard said of her seniors.

WCHS collected 2-0 victories over Southeast Valley (21-13, 21-11), Algona Garrigan (21-15, 21-12), St. Edmond (21-16, 21-11), Pocahontas Area (21-16, 21-12) and Aplington-Parkersburg (21-15, 21-13).

WCHS blockers Reese Casey (15) and Grace Hoversten (8) work together during Saturday’s St. Edmond Invite in Fort Dodge. Messenger photo/Britt Kudla

A-P was the tournament runner-up at 3-2.

Howard was encouraged by her team’s play in the front and back rows. WCHS blasted 88 kills, keyed by Schwandt with 34 and Hoversten with 18. Foster and Gallentine cranked out 13 each.

Schwandt, Hoversten and Foster all hit .250 or better. And Foster stood out in back as well where she came up with 30 digs, second on the team behind only sophomore standout Alayna Finucan, the libero who piled up 44.

“We were very consistent at net and powerful at net,” Howard said. “Sometimes you get to the point where you’re hitting the ball out of desperation rather than purpose, but all day I felt like we hit with a purpose. We were able to attack in both the front and the back, and that allowed us to be effective all the time.”

Gallentine in particular caught her coach’s eye. Setting from the back row, she dished out a team-high 46 assists. Jenna Miller took over once Gallentine moved to an attacker role in the front. Miller handed out 23 assists.

“Morgan had a great day … she did well at the net and she did well with (setting) the ball where it needed to be,” Howard said. “With Haley, it’s going to be huge to have her play well defensively like she did (on Saturday). She made good choices when she was swinging also.”

Hoversten (13) and Schwandt (9) combined for 22 blocks. Schwandt also registered 14 digs; Gallentine added 16 and Miller finished with 13.

Behind the service line, Leah Kasch smacked five aces. Foster added four, Finucan three.

WCHS will make its home debut this evening when it hosts Ballard and North Polk in a non-conference triangular. Play will begin at 5:30 p.m.

St. Edmond Invite

Saturday at Fort Dodge

Match Scores

Webster City 2, St. Edmond 0 (21-16, 21-11).

Webster City 2, Garrigan 0 (21-15, 21-12).

Webster City 2, SE Valley 0 (21-13, 21-11).

Webster City 2, Pocahontas Area 0 (21-16, 21-12).

Webster City 2, A-P 0 (21-15, 21-13).

Webster City Statistics

(Combined 5 matches)

Attacks — Adalie Schwandt 66-80, 34 kills; Grace Hoversten 38-44, 18 kills; Morgan Gallentine 23-28, 13 kills; Haley Foster 26-33, 13 kills; Faith Anderson 14-18, 7 kills; Alayna Finucan 7-8, 2 kills; Reese Casey 8-10, 1 kill.

Blocks — Hoversten 13, Schwandt 9, Casey 21⁄2, Anderson 2, Foster 1, Gallentine 1⁄2.

Digs — Finucan 44, Foster 30, Gallentine 16, Schwandt 14, Jenna Miller 13, Casey 5, Leah Kasch 4, Anderson 2, Alley Odland 1, Kelly Stoakes 1.

Assists — Gallentine 46, Miller 23, Finucan 9, Foster 3, Schwandt 1.

Serving — Kasch 41-46, 5 aces; Foster 59-60, 4 aces; Finucan 17-18, 3 aces; Miller 32-35, 3 aces; Gallentine 18-21, 2 aces; Schwandt 25-25.