OTTUMWA — The Ottumwa volleyball team had too much firepower for an overmatched Des Moines Hoover team Tuesday at Evans Middle School.

The Bulldogs, spearheaded by a dominating performance by Katie Sammons, swept the Huskies 3-0 (25-16, 25-15, 25-17).

Hoover had no answer for Sammons, who finished with 17 kills.

“Katie has always been a strong hitter and we’re finally starting to utilize her to the best of her ability,” coach Jessica Carson said. “She’s a go-to hitter. She makes the other team make defense.”

The girls got off to a lethargic start, but once they refocused they began to impose their will on the Huskies. A kill by Sammons increased Ottumwa’s lead to 14-9 in game one. Moments later, Sammons scored on another kill; but she would have never gotten opportunity if it were not for Chloe Davis hustling to get to a ball that was about to hit the hardwood.

Later in the game, an ace by setter Beth Overturf increased Ottumwa’s lead to 21-13. Moments later, a kill by outside hitter Megan Black upped the Bulldogs’ lead to 25-16.

The second game was all Ottumwa. The Bulldogs, bolstered by a blend of kills and aces by Black, Overturf and Sammons took an early 13-6 lead. A spike by Sammons gave the Bulldogs a 25-10 win in game two.

“We played better during the last part of the second game because we were having fun,” Davis said.

The third game stayed close for a while. At one point, the game was tied 16-16. The Bulldogs, however, ticked off four straight points to give them a 20-16 lead. The girls went on to win 25-17.

Overturf said it can be hard to concentrate while  playing a less talented squad.

“It’s a slower-paced game,” she said.

Overturf, however, was pleased with the way her team played in some areas.

“We’re doing a lot better at blocking and doing some really good ups,” she said.

Though she said she didn’t want to sound cocky, Carson said her team did expect to pick up the victory tonight. The coach, however, said the win gives her girls’ momentum going into the rest of the year.

Ottumwa (10-8) plays at Mount Pleasant Thursday.

Ottumwa 25-25-25

DM Hoover 16-10-17

Ottumwa Statistics

Serving — Megan Black 19-22, Beth Overturf 8-10, Olivia Roark 8-10, Katie Sammons 8-8, Chloe Davis 6-7, Ellie Hammack 7-7, Hope Bitner 2-2. Team — 62/69. Aces — Overturf 4, Roark, Davis, 10. Team — 16.

Hitting — Black 11-19, Overturf 1-1, Roark 1-1, Sammons 21-21, Davis 1-1, Kelsey Guyette 2-2, Mallary Simmer 1-2. Team — 38-47. Kills — Black 8, Sammons 17, Hammack, Wilcoxson, Megan Cobler, Hope Bitner 4. Team — 32.

Setting — Overturf 12, Davis 9, Karissa Wilcoxson. Team — 22.

Blocks — Sammons 2. Team — 2.

Digs — Black 7, Overturf 3, Roark 16,  Sammons 3, Jaiden Cloyd 3, Chloe Davis 3, Kelsey Guyette 5, Elllie Hammack 5, Megan Cobler. Team — 50.