Members of the Gladbrook-Reinbeck volleyball team celebrate pulling ahead, briefly, 16-15, of the Class 2A No. 2 Union Knights during morning pool play at the North Tama Volleyball Tournament, Saturday, Sept. 5, in Traer. The Knights would go on to win the set and match before later capturing the tournament title by defeating No. 1 Grundy Center. G-R went 1-3 on the day. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

TRAER – Eight area volleyball teams came together in Traer last Saturday ahead of the Labor Day holiday for the 18th annual North Tama Volleyball Tournament, including the Gladbrook-Reinbeck Rebels who in their first match of the morning proved competitive against the eventual tournament champs, the Class 2A No. 2 Union Knights.

In addition to the Class 1A No. 4 hosts, Rebels and Knights, the AGWSR Cougars, Class 1A No. 9 Cedar Ridge Christian Regents, Class 1A No. 8 Dunkerton Raiders and HLV Warriors were all in attendance Saturday.

During the morning’s pool play, G-R began the day falling 2-0 (21-17, 21-5) to Union in the newly renovated North Tama MPR gym, but not without a fight, pulling ahead of the Knights at least once in the first set.

In their second match of the morning, the Rebels faced Dunkerton, falling again in two sets, 21-13 and 21-15.

G-R’s third pool play match was against Cedar Ridge Christian. While the Regents also swept the Rebels 2-0 (24-22, 22-20), the match was hardwon.

G-R senior outside hitter Jada Cheville pushes the ball over the net against the No. 2 Union Knights, Saturday, Sept. 5, in Traer. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Following a break for lunch, G-R played AGWSR in the second consolation match, defeating the Cougars in two sets with relative ease (21-14, 21-8).

In the tournament championship match, Union proved their hype this season, toppling top-ranked Grundy Center in three hard-fought sets (21-15, 15-21, 16-14), moving to 11-0-1 on the season, while Grundy Center dropped to 7-1.

Tournament statistics were not available for G-R in time for publication.

G-R senior Kailey Larsen (10) sets up the ball against No. 2 Union, Saturday, Sept. 5, in Traer. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Rebel senior setter Kailey Larsen, right, successfully executes a set dump against No. 2 Union, Saturday, Sept. 5, in Traer. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER