(Coralville, IA) — Riverside volleyball will get a chance at redemption tonight as they take on top seeded Ankeny Christian in the Class 1A State Semifinals, 6 pm first serve, coverage on KSOM. The Bulldogs lost to the Eagles in the Regional Finals a year ago.
The Bulldogs won a dramatic five setter over the Iowa Star Conference champions North Tama in the first round (18-25, 25-21, 23-25, 25-16, 15-11). Senior Sophia Taylor led the way with 17 kills and hit on three straight kills in the 4th set to allow the Bulldogs to force a 5th. Bentley Rone had a triple double with 13 kills, 22 assists and 12 digs. The Redhawks were one of 4 teams from the Iowa Star Conference to make it in the 1A field — Janesville and BCLUW both got upset wins in the first round.
However, Ankeny Christian easily dispatched the other Iowa Star team Don Bosco and it was not close (25-9, 25-16, 25-17). Carley Craighead led the way for the Eagles with 14 kills, Anna Weathers had 11 kills, Katie Quick and Macey Nehring each had 7 kills. Ankeny had 9 total aces, hit at a .383 efficiency.
Ankeny is so strong in so many ways — they are led the Senior Craighead who has 333 kills, 18 blocks, 110 digs, and 72 aces. Nehring (279 kills) and Weathers (238 kills) are also offensive threats. Craighead and Weathers also have size — they are both 6 foot tall and will be the tallest players on the court tonight. The service game is a huge strength — 478 aces which far and away leads the entire state and they servie at a 90.3 percent clip. North Tama is second with 331. Quck is the team leader with 118 aces and Weathers has 94 on the season.
Riverside struggled in the hitting game early against North Tama — it was at .03 at the end of the first set. They got it up to .165 by the end of the match but they will need to be more consistent tonight. The Bulldogs have the same advantage over the Eagles like they did against the Redhawks — Riverside is out blocking Ankeny Christian this year 306 – 99.
Riverside is 39-3, Ankeny Christian 38-5, game time is at 6pm, coverage on KSOM. The winner will face either Janesville or BCLUW in the 1A Finals Thursday at 7 pm.
