The Gladbrook-Reinbeck Rebels jump for joy after scoring a hard-fought point against the 1A No. 11 Redhawks on Sept. 9. No. 8 G-R defeated North Tama 3-0 last Thursday in a Class 1A showdown. Pictured are Mahayla Olson, Katie Clark, Ava Wyatt, Emma McClintock and Megan Cooley. The theme for the night at the North Tama gym was tropical. Photo by Darvin Graham

Amongst an electric crowd at North Tama High School last Thursday, the No. 8 Gladbrook-Reinbeck Rebels knocked off the No. 11 North Tama Redhawks in three straight sets.

The teams battled hard in the first set with several points coming down to volleys that were extended through diving saves and hustle defense.

The Rebels took the first set 25-19 and from there the momentum began to build.

Coming off their state playoff run last year, the Rebels outmatched the Redhawks in both experience and in size.

Front line starters Megan Cooley, Ava Wyatt and Katie Clark held a height advantage of several inches over most of their counterparts for the Redhawks.

Sets two and three were again close but ultimately the Rebels prevailed winning 25-21 and 26-24 to close out the evening.

Wyatt and Mahayla Olson did most of the damage on the attack with 13 and 12 kills respectively. Cooley also chipped in eight kills to go along with a team high three blocks and 15 digs.

Junior Emma McClintock also had 13 digs while Clark had 12 and the team’s only ace.

The following weekend the team traveled to Eldora to compete in the South Hardin Invitational.

G-R opened with a 2-1 loss to Boone but would fight their way back to the finals with wins over Greene County, Oelwein, Edgewood-Colesburg and Saydel.

In the finals they met again with the South Hardin Tigers who handed them their first loss of the season back on Sept. 2.

The Tigers had G-R’s number again, capturing the tournament title with a 2-1 victory over Gladbrook-Reinbeck.

The Rebels faced East Marshall on Tuesday in conference play and will host their own tournament this weekend beginning at 9 a.m. in Reinbeck.