MIFFILIN — After splitting a pair of Southwest Wisconsin Activities League matches last week, the Iowa–Grant Panthers finished second at their own eight-team tournament on Saturday and in the process helped their coach reach a career milestone.

Coach Marla Simon’s Panthers swept Highland 25–14, 25–13 and Portage 25–12, 25–19 to begin the day, then rallied after a game one loss to beat Belleville 21–25, 26–24, 15–10 to finish pool play undefeated.

The Panthers then defeated SWAL rival Mineral Point 25–11, 19–25, 15–9 in the semifinals to earn a championship showdown with Seneca and give Simon her 200th career victory. Simon is now 200–184 in her 14th season as a head coach, 13 of those at Iowa–Grant.

The Indians were too much for I–G in the championship match, sweeping the hosts 25–18, 25–10 to win the tournament.

Iowa–Grant also lost junior setter Kendall Peterson prior to the championship match to a back injury. Peterson had 94 assists through four matches before getting injured, including 36 in the three-set victory over Belleville. Peterson played sparingly in the final match and finished with 96 assists and 22 digs. 

“Going into the final match we went with Hazel Klosterman to set as Kendall was having some back issues,” said Simon. “She did a nice job for us, but we couldn’t find that extra oomph in the championship match versus Seneca.  They were a very nice team, with good middle hitting and very good defense. 

Iowa–Grant improved to 10–4 on the season.

“Overall it was a good day to go 4–1 and finish second,” said Simon. “I was pleased with our finish and hopefully it prepares us going forward.”

Iowa–Grant swept Boscobel 25–20, 25–18, 25–22 last Tuesday night, but suffered its first conference loss of the season Thursday at Southwestern a 25–17, 33–31, 25–20.

The Panthers (10–4, 3–1 SWAL) faced first-place Cuba City (11–2, 3–0 SWAL) Tuesday night. They will now host Darlington on Thursday before hosting Mineral Point on Tuesday. 

Iowa–Grant 3, Boscobel 0

(from Tuesday, Sept. 12 @ Boscobel)

Iowa–Grant 25 25 25

Boscobel 20 18 22

Iowa–Grant stat leaders 

Kills: Olivia Liddicoat 8, Katie Olson 7, Shae McIntyre 7, Annie Spurley 4. Blocks: McIntyre 5, Liddicoat 2, Lexi Busse 2. Assists: Kendall Peterson 20. Aces: Olson 4, Hero Klosterman 3. Digs: Hero Klosterman 15, Peterson 7, Olson 6.

Southwestern 3, 

Iowa–Grant 0

(from Thursday, Sept. 14 @ Southwestern)

Iowa–Grant 17 31 20

Southwestern 25 33 25

Iowa–Grant stat leaders 

Kills: Katie Olson 8, Olivia Liddicoat 7, Shae McIntyre 6, Annie Spurley 4. Blocks: McIntyre 3, Liddicoat 2, Spurley 2. Assists: Kendall Peterson 23. Aces: Liddicoat 2. Digs: Hero Klosterman 16, Olson 9, Liddicoat 7, Peterson 5.

Iowa–Grant Invitational

(from Saturday, Sept. 16 @ Iowa–Grant)

Championship: Seneca def. Iowa–Grant 25–18, 25–10.

Third-place match: Belleville def. Mineral Point 25–15, 25–16.

Semifinals: Iowa–Grant def. Mineral Point 25–11, 19–25, 15–9. Seneca def. Belleville 25–15, 25–10.

Pool A: Iowa–Grant 3–0, Belleville 2–1, Highland 1–2, Portage 0–3.

Pool B: Seneca 3–0, Dodgeville 2–1, Mineral Point 1–2, New Glarus 0–3. 

Iowa–Grant pool play match scores

Iowa–Grant def. Highland 25–14, 25–13

Iowa–Grant def. Portage 25–12, 25–19

Iowa–Grant def. Belleville 21–25, 26–24, 15–10

Iowa–Grant stat leaders 

Kills: Katie Olson 32, Olivia Liddicoat 25, Shae McIntyre 24. Blocks: McIntyre 6, Liddicoat 5. Assists: Kendall Peterson 93, Hazel Klosterman 21. Aces: Liddicoat 2. Digs: Hero Klosterman 70, Liddicoat 27, Olson 23, Peterson 22.