Blue Jays off to a good start

GRISWOLD - Villisca's volleyball team will have played seven of eight games on the road before they open at home Thursday, but that didn't seem to bother them last week as they ran through Griswold in the season opener, 25-14, 25-11, 25-22.
Jill Vanderhoof led the way for the Blue Jays, with six kills on 10 attempts in the team's win.  Senior hitter Courtney Auxier added five kills on 14 attempts.
Sheri Schaaf led the way serving for the Blue Jays in their win over the Tigers serving 16 of 17 with four aces.  Vanderhoof also had five aces while serving 12 of 14 successfully.
On the defensive side of the ball, Amanda Focht and Auxier led the team in blocks.  Focht had one solo block and two assists, while Auxier had one solo and one assist.
Abbey Wallingfortd had four digs in the Blue Jays sweep.
Thursday, Villisca hosted Corning where it took the Blue Jays five games to defeat the Red Raiders, 25-18, 16-25, 20-25, 26-24, 17-15.
Vanderhoof and Auxier led the Blue Jays, each with 10 kills on 21 attempts, in the win.
Vanderhoof also served 24 of 27 with four aces, and had 13 digs in the win.  The Blue Jays had a total of 13 serving aces in the win, including three by Wallingford and Auxier.
Villisca lost their first game at the Clarinda Tournament Saturday, to Nishnabotna 2-0.  The Blue Jays finished the tournament with wins over St. Albert and Shenandoah, while losing to Treynor and twice to Nishnabotna
Auxier led the way with seven kills on 15 attempts while serving four of five with one ace.  Auxier had 29 kills for the Blue Jays in their five matches played, with nine coming against St. Albert in the Blue Jays' 2-1 win, and eight in Villisca's 2-0 win over Shenandoah.
Vanderhoof added 18 kills in the tournament for Villisca and was one serve away from a perfect five games, serving 41 of 42 successfully with five aces.  Vanderhoof's only serve to miss the mark was in the Blue Jays win over Shenandoah.
Villisca was able to win one of three games against Treynor led by Auxier and Vanderhoof's combined 11 kills.  Amanda Focht had her biggest game against the Cardinals, with three kills on 10 attempts and serving nine of nine.
Senior Katelyn Kernen had the most consistent tournament for the Blue Jays with 10 kills on 21 attempts and one error in the duration of the five games.
The Blue Jays travel to Clarinda Academy Tuesday before hosting East Mills in the team's first home game.