5A Championship Match Recap, Reaction

<!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/FDzZIKAft0s","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/FDzZIKAft0s </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://youtu.be/FDzZIKAft0s">Box Score </a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/2024/11/pv-northwest-5a-state-championship-match-photos/">Photo Gallery</a> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CORALVILLE, Iowa - </strong>Pleasant Valley left the runway as one of the favorites to win the Class 5A state championship. The Spartans overcame turbulence and cloudy skies along the way and landed safely with the top trophy in hand on Thursday here at Xtream Arena. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They capped a magnificent 2024 season with the program's second title in four years. The four-set victory (25-20, 26-24, 25-22, 25-16) against defending champion Waukee Northwest followed up PV's first-ever crown back in 2021. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"I don't think I've completely digested it yet," senior [player_tooltip player_id='215760' first='Gabriella' last='Ragins'] said shortly after the match ended. "It is completely surreal. We've been working for this for so long. We've gone through so much, so many obstacles to get to this point. I'm just absolutely elated to get here." </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not that it was breaking news, but Pleasant Valley looked like a special bunch back at August's Prep Dig Sizzle in this same arena. The Spartans shined again at the Mount Vernon tournament on Sept. 28. This week, they just powered through the field in winning nine of the 10 sets they played. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The march to gold was made more impressive because it was accomplished with some sadness in their hearts. They competed here without one of the team's best players, sophomore all-around [player_tooltip player_id='490015' first='Mazie' last='Sweers'], sidelined with a leg injury. Everyone kept the sophomore involved and in good spirits. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"She's one of our best friends," junior [player_tooltip player_id='243182' first='Isabelle' last='Kremer'] said. "We got her an energy drink last night. We've gotten her gifts and stuff. She's a really great teammate." </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>During the title match, Kremer connected for 24 kills, while Ragins added 11 kills and 4.0 blocks. [player_tooltip player_id='389006' first='Carsyn' last='Kelley'] handed out 29 assists, came up with 10 digs and recorded six kills, and Abbie Staats and [player_tooltip player_id='493657' first='Addison' last='Allaman'] teamed up for 40 digs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Waukee Northwest finished its season at 28-9. Few folks outside of the Wolves' locker room figured they'd be back in the final match after losing a lot of firepower from last year's squad. They started five sophomores and a junior this week. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Adopting a why-not-now attitude, this talented, young group showed that it will be a favorite to win it all heading into '25. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='490013' first='Logan' last='Vogt'] registered 21 kills and nine digs in Thursday's loss. [player_tooltip player_id='389019' first='Avery' last='Vogt'] handed out 37 assists and added seven digs. That duo represented the Wolves on the all-tournament team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"It feels good knowing what's coming next year," [player_tooltip player_id='389019' first='Avery' last='Vogt'] said. "We're going to be ready. I'm just super proud of everyone on our team." </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://youtu.be/ovIIHtoYDZc","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://youtu.be/ovIIHtoYDZc </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Class 5A All-Tournament<br></strong>[player_tooltip player_id='215760' first='Gabriella' last='Ragins'], Pleasant Valley<br>[player_tooltip player_id='389019' first='Avery' last='Vogt'], Waukee Northwest<br>[player_tooltip player_id='215464' first='Delaney' last='Miller'], Ankeny Centennial<br>[player_tooltip player_id='215412' first='Ella' last='Rogers'], Dowling Catholic<br>[player_tooltip player_id='389933' first='Ellie' last='Muller'], Dowling Catholic<br>[player_tooltip player_id='490013' first='Logan' last='Vogt'], Waukee Northwest<br>[player_tooltip player_id='243182' first='Isabelle' last='Kremer'], Pleasant Valley (captain)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Iowa Pork Producers Top Producer of the Match<br></strong>Abby Staats, Pleasant Valley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->