(Van Meter, IA) — Riverside will try to advance to the state tournament for the second year in a row — the Bulldogs face Aplington Parkersburg in a Class 2A Regional Final tonight from Waukee Northwest, coverage on KSOM.
Riverside is the only volleyball team in the state that is undefeated and the #7 ranked Bulldogs will have their toughest challenge facing the 9th ranked Falcons.
Riverside has not lost a set thus far in Region 7, sweeping conference rivals Underwood and Missouri Valley. Against the Reds, the Bulldogs defined the term offensive balance. Sydney Somers had 7 kills, Vivian Gross and Arabella Singleton 6 kills, Lilli Reed, Madison Kelley and Bentley Rone each had 5 kills each. Head Coach Brooke Flathers says that is what her team is all about
Riverside will use two different setters on any given night — Rone leads with 446 assists and Ashley Kelley has 369 assists. Flathers says both players have been exceptional in their rolls
Flathers does not like to talk too much about her opponents but she says it does not matter that Aplington Parkersburg is an unfamiliar opponent. The Falcons have balance much like Riverside with four different players with impressive offensive numbers — Senior Kolbie Wangsness has 204 kills, Junior Adri Allan 200 kills, Sophomore Jenzen Klooster 194 kills, and Senior Zoey Uhlenhopp with 189 kills. Junior Julia Mostek has 780 assists. Flathers says it should be a great atmosphere
Flathers says it would be a great achievement for this team to make another trip to Coralville and the state tournament
Aplington Parkersburg is 27-10, Riverside is 38-0, game time tonight is at 7 pm, coverage on KSOM.
NOTE: The game has been moved to Waukee Northwest because of power issues at Van Meter.
Complete Interview with Head Coach Brooke Flathers
