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MCDONALD'S SWNEWS4U GAME OF THE WEEK (Prep Volleyball): Argyle Six Rivers Jamboree
River Ridge takes first at Argyle Six Rivers Jamboree
River Ridge vb team
Coach Diane Langmeier's River Ridge varsity volleyball team is off to a 6–0 start to the season after a season-opening non-conference win over Lancaster last Tuesday night and a 5–0 first-place finish at last Saturday's eight-team Argyle Six Rivers Jamboree tournament.

MCDONALD'S SWNEWS4U.COM GAME OF THE WEEK (Aug. 23–30)
PREP VOLLEYBALL: Argyle Six Rivers Jamboree

By A.J. Gates, Grant County Herald Independent

Timberwolves off to 6–0 start after winnings Argyle Six Rivers Jamboree

ARGYLE — Coach Dianne Langmeier and her River Ridge volleyball team are off to a great start, having kicked off the 2022 season last Tuesday night with a win against Lancaster, and following up with a great showing at Saturday’s Six Rivers Jamboree in Argyle. 

In their season-opener against visiting Lancaster last Tuesday night, the Timberwolves came out on fire, taking the first set, 25-5. Though Lancaster offered more resistance in the second and third sets, the Timberwolves completed the sweep with scores of 25-18 and 25-22. 

“I was really pleased with how the girls came out strong and ready to play,” said coach Langmeier of her squad. “Lancaster did a nice job coming back in the second game and started tipping on us. We had to make some adjustments and started picking up their tips better as the second game went on.” 

Leading River Ridge at the net with a team-high 12 kills was senior Payton Millin, who also had a team-high seven service aces to go along with 11 digs and four blocks. Fellow senior Madi Thornton added five kills in the victory to go along with a team-high five blocks. Dishing out a team-high 20 assists was senior setter Alli Wagner, while senior Alivia Polodna came up with a team-high 23 digs and served up three aces. 

On the following Saturday, coach Langmeier and her Timberwolves competed at the Six Rivers Jamboree in Argyle, where they brought home the championship with a perfect record of 5-0. 

In pool play, the Timberwolves swept Southwestern (25-16, 25-17), Benton (25-18, 25-12) and Shullsburg (25-19, 25-16), taking each team down in two straight sets. 

In pool play, the Timberwolves faced off against Cassville, beating the Comets in two straight sets, 25-15, 25-15, to earn a spot in the championship match. 

In the championship, coach Langmeier’s squad squared up against Southwestern, who took the first set, 25-16, handing the Timberwolves their first loss of the entire day. Not to panic though, the Timberwolves  regrouped to win the second and third sets by scores of 25- 20 and 15-7. 

“The girls played well all day,” said coach Langmeier. “I was excited to see how well they hit and blocked at the net. The girls did a nice job of being smart with their attacks. I was really pleased with how well the girls dug up the other teams’ attacks,” she added. “Our serve receive and passing was consistent for the day too.” 

Putting down a team-best 43 kills on the day was Millin, who also had 54 total digs, 19 blocks and team-high 10 service aces. Thornton chipped in a team-high 26 blocks to go along with 28 kills, while Polodna came up with a team-high 71 total digs. Wagner dished out 65 assists on the day, while senior Payton Kaufman added 42 digs and six service aces. 

Now 6-0 in match play, the Timberwolves follow up this past Tuesday night’s home match against Belmont, with a road match at Shullsburg Thursday night. 

Six Rivers Jamboree
(from Saturday, Aug. 27, at Argyle)
Final team standings - 1. River Ridge (5-0); 2. Southwestern (3-2); 3. Highland (4-1); 4. Cassville (2-3); 5. Potosi (2-2); 6. Shullsburg (1-3); 7. Benton (1-3); 8. Argyle (0-4).
Pool A play - 1. River Ridge (3-0); 2. Southwestern (2-1); 3. Shullsburg (1-2); 4. Benton (0-3).
Pool B play - 1. Highland (3-0); 2. Cassville (2-1); 3. Potosi (1-2); 4. Argyle (0-3).
7th-place match - Benton 2, Argyle 0 (25-21, 25-11)
5th-place match - Potosi 2, Shullsburg 1 (18-25, 25-17, 18-16)
3rd-place match - Highland 2, Cassville 0 (25-13, 25-14)
Championship match - River Ridge 2, Southwestern 1 (16-25, 25-20, 15-7)
River Ridge matches
River Ridge 2, Southwestern 0 (25-16, 25-17)
River Ridge 2, Benton 0 (25-18, 25-12)
River Ridge 2, Shullsburg 0 (25-19, 25-16)
River Ridge 2, Cassville 0 (25-15, 25-15)
River Ridge 2, Southwestern 1 (16-25, 25-20, 15-7)
River Ridge leaders
Kills - Payton Millin 43, Madelyn Thornton 28. Digs - Alivia Polodna 71, Payton Millin 54, Payton Kaufman 42. Aces - Millin 10, Kaufman 6. Assists - Alli Wagner 65, Mackenzie Esser 8. Blocks - Thornton 26, Millin 19.