Union setter Hinley Mast (9) and her fellow senior teammate, middle hitter Taylen Smith (10) work to block Gladbrook-Reinbeck at the net on Saturday, Sept. 5, during the North Tama Volleyball Tournament’s morning pool play in the MPR gymnasium in Traer. The undefeated No. 2 Knights shut out the competition at the eight-team tournament, taking down the previously undefeated top-ranked Grundy Center Spartans in the afternoon championship match. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

TRAER – The Class 2A No. 2 Union Knights put in the labor required on Saturday, Sept. 5, to come out on top at the competitive 18th annual North Tama Volleyball Tournament, defeating the previously unbeaten Class 2A No. 1 Grundy Center Spartans in the final gold bracket match to remain undefeated.

Eight teams competed in the annual tournament hosted over Labor Day weekend by the Class 1A No. 4 Redhawks. In addition to the hosts, Knights and Spartans, the AGWSR Cougars, Class 1A No. 9 Cedar Ridge Christian Regents, Class 1A No. 8 Dunkerton Raiders, Gladbrook-Reinbeck Rebels and HLV Warriors were in attendance.

During the morning’s pool play, Union began the day by taking down unranked Gladbrook-Reinbeck 2-0 (21-17, 21-5) in the newly renovated North Tama MPR gym, while Grundy Center defeated HLV in the main gym.

Later in the morning, Union handily defeated Cedar Ridge Christian 2-0 (21-8, 21-15), while Grundy Center did the same to AGWSR.

In their final pool play matches, Union topped Dunkerton 2-0 (21-18, 21-12) and Grundy Center took down the host Redhawks 2-0 (21-19, 21-14).

Knights senior outside hitter Bianca Grimm achieved 1,000 career kills during the 18th annual North Tama Volleyball Tournament, Saturday, Sept. 5, in Traer. She is pictured following the tournament with a banner celebrating the milestone. PHOTO COURTESY OF UNION BOOSTER CLUB

Following a break for lunch, Grundy Center faced Dunkerton in the first gold bracket match, defeating the Raiders to advance to the tournament championship.

In the second gold bracket match, Union defeated North Tama 2-1 (16-21, 21-11, 15-7) to also advance to the championship.

In the final match of the tournament, the Knights proved their hype this season, toppling the top-ranked Spartans in three hard-fought sets (21-15, 15-21, 16-14), moving to 12-0 on the season, while Grundy Center dropped to 7-1.

Against the Spartans, including 6-foot-8 middle hitter Ryanne Brubaker, senior setter Hinley Mast helped lead the Knights’ offense with 21 assists of the team’s 23. Senior hitters Bianca Grimm and Taylen Smith both had seven kills apiece, with Grimm recording her 1,000th career kill during the course of the tournament. Abbie Estling had five.

On defense, senior Laikyn Ewoldt recorded nine digs against Grundy Center. Mast chipped in seven, Grimm had six, and sophomore defensive specialist Paige Pipho had four. Junior middle hitter Caitlyn Schneider recorded three blocks to move to No. 1 in Class 2A in blocks as of press time with 25. Mast also had a block.

At the service line, the Knights racked up six aces, including three from Grimm, two from Ewoldt, and one from Estling.

Statistics were not available for Grundy Center in time for publication.

Union last qualified for the state volleyball tournament in 2023 after winning the Class 3A Region 5 championship. At state that year, the No. 7 Knights upset No. 2 seed Cherokee Washington in the opening round before falling in the semifinals to No. 3 seed Western Christian.

In 2024 and 2025, Union fell just shy of state, losing the regional championship both seasons.