KIRKWOOD, Iowa – After suffering its first loss of the season on Friday, No. 2 Parkland volleyball bounced back with two wins over ranked opponents on Saturday. The Cobras won a five-set match against No. 15 Central (NE) in its morning match, and then swept No. 7 Highland (KS) in its final match of the weekend. Finishing the weekend with a 3-1 record while playing three ranked opponents, Parkland improves to 19-1 on the season.

Central (NE) Box Score | Highland (KS) Box Score
 
Playing in its first five-set match of the season, Parkland won the second, third and fifth sets to takedown 15^th-ranked Central behind a triple-double from setter Rachel Verdun. As a team, the Cobras hit .262 in the win while recording 12 blocks and 122 digs.
 
The Division II assists leader (586), and sixth in assists per set (11.25), Verdun her season-high mark with 54. The first-year Cobra also added in 10 kills on 17 swings, marking an efficient .529 hitting percentage, and aided the team's defensive effort with a season-high 21 digs. Verdun is the first Cobra to reach double figures in three categories this season.
 
Verdun was one of five Cobras to reach double figure kills against Central, as middle blocker Dakota Harmon (11), opposite side hitter Katelyn Riffle (16), outside hitter Gabby Wessels (12) and middle blocker Shelby Nunamker (14) contributed to the 72 team kills. For Riffle, Nunamker and Harmon, the kill total marked a season-best performance. Defensively, Wessels led the team with five blocks, while defensive specialist Brooke Norder led the Cobras with 38 digs.
 
Parkland returned to the court for its final match of the weekend to face its highest ranking opponent of the Invitational, No. 7 Highland (KS). Winning in straight sets (25-23, 25-13, 25-20), the Cobras hit .299 as a team to go along with eight blocks.
 
Wessels was the Cobras' leading attacker in the victory with 13 kills on 24 attempts, hitting at a .375 clip, while Harmon and freshman Ryleigh Warfel each added in seven kills. Parkland was led defensively by Nunamker's five blocks and Warfel's 18 digs.
 
Up next, Parkland returns to M-WAC competition on Wednesday, September 12, at 6 p.m. when they take on John Wood in Quincy, Illinois. The Cobras opened up conference play last Wednesday with a sweep of No. 13 Lincoln Land in Springfield.