Clarinda’s volleyball team had shown the ability to compete with the state-rated top teams in the Hawkeye 10 Conference, dropping a 3-2 match a week earlier to Class 2A third-ranked Carroll Kuemper, and taking a game from Class 4A No. 3 Harlan last month in a league match.

That offensive prowess was on display here Tuesday in a 25-17, 25-13, 25-20 victory over Creston.

The junior hitting duo of Darcy Sunderman and Jenny Bair hit 14 and 13 kills, respectively, in turning the tide whenever Creston posed a threat. Sunderman’s jump serve also reeled off long scoring runs as the Panthers never managed the energy level in challenging Shenandoah in a 3-2 loss last week.