Kentwood volleyball sweeps Stadium, moves into playoff position

Kentwood High School volleyball got off to a brutal start to begin the 2024 season. The Conquerors lost the first four matches of the season and five of their first six to open up the year.

Since the 1-5 start, Kentwood has now gone 4-2 and put themselves in a fight for the final playoff spot with three league matches left to go. With Kentridge falling to Kennedy as well, the Conks have a one game lead over the Chargers.

The Conks took a huge step forward on the route to the playoffs with a convincing 3-0 win against Stadium at home on Oct. 16.

“They played really well. We had been struggling putting good games together to pull out a win in the match. It was important for us to duplicate what we did in game one and two… It was a really successful night for them to show growth in areas we need to,” Head Coach Kayla Peebler said.

Kentwood was coming off a 3-1 loss against Auburn Riverside last time out, but the Conks were able to put that behind them and take care of business.

“It took a lot for us to get here, it was a rocky start. But we made it back,” Koda Larson said.

In the first set, Kentwood settled in quickly. Of the first nine points scored in this matchup, Kentwood scored eight to take an 8-1 lead. It was taillights from there in the first set. Coach Peebler’s side cleaned up, 25-13, to win the first set.

Larson typically is a setter for Peebler’s side. but donned the different color shirt as she was the libero for the first time for Kentwood this season.

It’s been a good little switch for me. It is good to get back to it because it’s kind of my roots,” Larson said.

Outside of Kentwood, Larson is a libero on a more routine occasion: “It feels like home.”

Set two went the way of the Conks in a similar fashion. Before the Tigers could get off three points, they were already down 13-3. A big part of the success in the second set was senior Mackenzie Farris. On multiple occasions, Farris came up with multiple blocks in a single point. Sprinkle a couple of kills on top, and the senior had herself a night.

Farris started out not as a middle blocker, but on the right side. But a transition midseason to the middle has given Farris a new home.

“She’s been great… She’s a stud, she is fun to watch out there. She has been doing well,” Peebler said.

Stadium did not go quietly in the final set. The Tigers were up four points early before Kentwood battled back. The Conks tied the set 13-13, finally finding their footing in set three.

Peebler used all of her timeouts and relied on her girls to make the needed adjustments.

“I didn’t have another timeout. They had to fight on their own and push themselves,” Peebler said.

A big key was the Conks’ serving in the win. Having high quality serves is a focal point for Peebler and the Conks found a way to get it done over Stadium.

“Serving is the only part of the game that no one has control over. We pressure serve in practice. It comes down to who is going to serve and pass the best,” said Peebler.

From 1-5 to a potential playoff team is pretty impressive. For Peebler and her girls, it is about playing your best when it matters, and so far the Conks are doing just that.

“If I have learned anything it’s about when you peak. This is an amazing team, they are so strong individually. Putting it all together as a team has been the challenge. Figuring that out to where we can be super successful consistently is the goal,” Peebler said.

The next hurdle for Kentwood is Mount Rainier on Oct. 22. The Rams are second in the 4A NPSL with an 8-2 record, with losses to Kennedy and Tahoma.

Kentwood will have their hands full with the Rams, but are looking to take the momentum from Stadium to that matchup with Mount Rainier.

“Having a second chance at everybody has been amazing… Mount Rainier is going to be fun, a lot of girls play together. It is always a fun match, it’s all about closing it out when we get to the 20s,” Peebler said.

Conk sophomore Amiya Irons with a spike against Stadium. Ben Ray / The Reporter