(Council Bluffs) Saint Albert advanced to the Regional Finals with a 25-12, 25-19, 25-23 victory over the Audubon Wheelers.
Saint Albert took control early in the match, breaking a 7-7 tie with a 5-0 run and establishing a 19-9 lead before closing out the first set at 25-12. The Saintes’ setter, Molly Wise, who came into the match with 657 assists, set up outside hitter Naomi Sherrill for several key kills throughout the set. Audubon Head Coach Molly Lange encouraged her team to forget about the first set and made adjustments for the second.
In the second set, Audubon improved their game and jumped ahead with a 4-0 lead. However, the Saints responded, overcoming a 10-10 tie and outscoring the Wheelers 15-9 to take the second set. The two teams battled closely in the third set, but Audubon fell short, losing 25-23.
Harlow Miller had a strong performance at the net for the Wheelers throughout all three sets. Coach Lange admitted they need Harlow to have a strong performance. Lange mentioned Anna Larsen provided some key sets to Harlow and all of the Wheeler hitters.
Molly Wise continued her impressive play as Saint Albert’s setter, effectively distributing the ball to the Saintes’ leading hitters, Brooklyn Rutledge and Naomi Sherrill. Rutledge entered the match with 291 kills, while Sherrill had 208. With this victory, Saint Albert, now 17-15, will face East Mills, 32-4, in the Regional Final on Wednesday night, with a trip to the State Tournament at stake.
Audubon’s season concludes with a 16-19 record, and they will compete in the Rolling Valley Conference next season.
(Naomi Sherrill Saint Albert, L.-Anna Larsen, and R-Abby Wanser, Audubon, attempting the block. Photo courtesy of Brian Rathjen, Atlantic News Telegraph)
