(Oakland, IA) — Riverside will take their first step towards going back to the state volleyball tournament tonight as they host Underwood in a Class 2A Quarterfinal, coverage on KSOM.
The Bulldogs beat the Eagles twice during the regular season and Underwood did not take a set. If you go by the numbers, Riverside does not have a ton of digs — 972 as a team which ranks 53rd in Class 2A but they have a solid team defense with a solid serve receive with a very efficient hitting squad. Head Coach Brooke Flathers they work together on the defensive side
Sophia Fenner leads the defense with 217 digs, Sydney Somers has 179 digs, Bentley Rone 165, Lilli Reed 161, Ashley Kelley 134 but Flathers says it starts with Fenner
Underwood Head Coach Elizabeth Stein says that the Bulldogs play clean volleyball — they do not give you many openings, they do not make many mistakes and they do not have many weaknesses
The Eagles are led by Carly Nelson with 251 kills, 236 digs, and 40 aces. Kennady Brown leads in blocks with 35 and Hailey Ambrose has 30 blocks — Stein says their blocking has come in waves and they will need to play well at the net against Riverside
Underwood is 12-18, Riverside 36-0, game time is 7 pm, coverage on KSOM. The winner will play the winner of Tri Center and Missouri Valley in the Regional Semifinals.
Complete Interview with Riverside Head Coach Brooke Flathers
Complete Interview with Underwood Head Coach Elizabeth Stein
