Solon won't appeal PV outcome

In the end, Peter Gustin's decision was to let it be.Gustin spoke with the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union office in the wake of

Solon's loss to Pleasant Valley in the championship match of the Linn-Mar Invitational volleyball tournament Saturday.It was an inquiry, not an appeal."I just wanted to learn a few things about the rule," said Gustin, the Spartans' interim coach. "I didn't appeal the point. I knew it wouldn't be overturned, and I didn't want to take anything away from Pleasant Valley."Solon led the third and deciding game, 14-11, when PV Coach Stacey Ruff threw a clipboard in protest of a call. The official flashed a red card at Ruff, which would have scored the winning point. After further review, the red card was changed to a yellow card.At the collegiate level and in most USVBA-sanctioned club tournaments, a yellow is still a point penalty. In high school ball, it's a warning.The match resumed, and Pleasant Valley rallied to win Game 3, 18-16."The officials have the right to change that call," Gustin said. "It is what it is, so we'll move on."Solon defeated Dyersville Beckman in five sets Tuesday, improving to 14-3 overall and 3-0 in the Wamac Conference East Division. 

Moving on at Linn-MarJenny Lucas and Erin Downing will serve as co-head coaches for Linn-Mar for the remainder of the season, according to Linn-Mar assistant athletics director Tonya Moe.They will replace Rob Justis,

who resigned Tuesday.Justis had been the head coach five seasons. He led the Lions to the state tournament in 2009 and 2010.Linn-Mar is 3-8. Lucas and Downing have been in charge of the team since Sept. 4.

West, Kennedy gaining tractionAfter uncharacteristically slow starts, perennial big-school powers Iowa City West and Cedar Rapids Kennedy appear to be turning the corner. Both have won six of their last seven matches to move north of .500.Two-time defending state champion West (10-6) claimed the Caroline Found Extravaganza on Saturday, defeating Beckman in the championship round. The Women of Troy handled Dubuque Senior on Tuesday, moving into first place in the MVC Mississippi Division.Kennedy (9-7) won five of six at the Southeast Polk Invitational on Saturday, then followed that with a five-set victory over Cedar Rapids Xavier on Tuesday."We're growing. We're definitely growing," said Kennedy Coach Michelle Goodall.

Area statistical leadersLauren Barz of Union ranks second in the state in assists, averaging 11.08 per set, trailing only Molly Doster of Fort Dodge St. Edmond (12.46).Others top in the area in their respective categories are Chelsea Berry of Starmont (4.32 kills per game), Carly Andregg of Clayton Ridge (.743 kill efficiency), Amanda Sahm of Marion (1.20 aces per game), Piper Thomas of Jesup (2.12 blocks per game) and Marissa Stark of Mount Vernon (5.65 digs per game).