IGHSAU State Tournament Quarterfinals Recap: 2A/1A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are back with the Quarterfinals of the state tournament and things are starting to heat up. Teams are fired up, knowing that a state title is right on the horizon. Not only are the athletes alive and fired up, but the fans are definitely matching their energy. We are going to see the best of the best competing over the next two days and I'll be here to cover it all. In this article I'll be covering the semifinals between #2 Grundy Center vs. #3 Beckman Catholic as well as #1 Ankeny Christian vs. #5 Holy Trinity Catholic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">#2 Grundy Center vs. #3 Beckman Catholic</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What an impressive whirlwind of a match between these two spectacular groups. Although Grundy put up a solid fight, I can't get over how amazing Beckman looked all throughout the match. My favorite part about the Trailblazers was how ruthless they were on defense. And it wasn't just libero <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/addisson-hogan/" data-type="players" data-id="555781">[player_tooltip player_id='555781' first='Addisson' last='Hogan']</a> (although she also did play lights out), but everyone on that team was getting touches that left me gasping. Beckman really came in ready to dog it out, and that's exactly what they did, taking down #2 ranked Grundy in a true nail-biting 5-set match (18-25, 25-22, 25-19, 18-25, 15-12).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>First shoutout definitely goes to <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/ryanne-brubaker/" data-type="players" data-id="702527">[player_tooltip player_id='702527' first='Ryanne' last='Brubaker']</a> from Grundy. When you're 6'8 and a monster at the net, there is a high expectation there and I think Brubaker definitely lived up to any and all expectations. You know your team is going to give you the ball as much as they can on offense, and you're expected to block every ball as well. Although she wasn't able to fully shut down the Trailblazer's offense, that girl still gave it her absolute all and left it all on the court. <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/raelyn-steinmeyer/" data-type="players" data-id="797808">[player_tooltip player_id='797808' first='Raelyn' last='Steinmeyer']</a> was also going balls to the wall in the back row and was getting very impressive touches left and right. She was flying all over the court throughout the match, trying her best to keep her team alive as long as she possibly could. Lastly for Grundy, we have <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/charlee-kirkpatrick/" data-type="players" data-id="891599">[player_tooltip player_id='891599' first='Charlee' last='Kirkpatrick']</a> for her amazing all around gameplay during the match. Kirkpatrick was playing at such a high level all night that you'd forget that she's only a sophomore with how far along her ball control and IQ are.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So many people to shoutout on the Beckman squad. For starters, I want to praise OHs <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/joy-burkle/" data-type="players" data-id="791383">[player_tooltip player_id='791383' first='Joy' last='Burkle']</a> and <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/jaylin-burkle/" data-type="players" data-id="955468">[player_tooltip player_id='955468' first='Jaylin' last='Burkle']</a> for being key contributors to some of the best 2A volleyball I've seen in a in a while. Both of these girls were getting it done in more ways that one. From their outstanding defense, to the ruthless kills, and some good blocking at the net sprinkled in there as well, these two were definitely my favorite to watch during this match. As I said earlier, <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/addisson-hogan/" data-type="players" data-id="555781">[player_tooltip player_id='555781' first='Addisson' last='Hogan']</a> was an absolute beast in the back row and was like a ninja with how she was swiftly moving and covering ground all throughout the back row. Just when you expected the ball to be down, here she comes with dig, after dig, after dig.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">#5 Holy Trinity Catholic vs. #1 Ankeny Christian</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles did exactly what was expected of them and managed to take care of the Crusaders in three sets. It was so much fun watching both of these fairly young teams show what they're capable of not only for this year, but also gave us a sneak peak of what to expect over the next few years. There were a few times where the Crusaders showed some really good fight, but ultimately it seemed as though they had fallen under the pressure of playing a #1 ranked team and couldn't find a groove soon enough or long enough. Ankeny Christian was able to set the pace for the match and play clean volleyball on their side. The final score (25-14, 25-14, 25-21).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It should come as no surprise that <a href="https://prepdig.com/player/adalyn-kruse-3/" data-type="players" data-id="493659">[player_tooltip player_id='493659' first='Adalyn' last='Kruse']</a> is the first kid I shoutout from HTC, no matter where the ball was at, this girl was swinging away and was able to find the court point after point. She also managed to get some pretty impressive saves in the back row as well. Brynn Denning was also making things happen for the Crusaders with her beautiful serve receive and defense. She was making play after play and for only being a freshman, I was overly impressed with her performance not just in the semifinals, but in the quarters as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/player/havanna-dolbeare/" data-type="players" data-id="777812">[player_tooltip player_id='777812' first='Havanna' last='Dolbeare']</a> is another kid who plays at such a high level and with such maturity that you forget she's only a sophomore. She has been growing at a rapid pace and her swing is unlike most kids in her class. She wields a lot of power in more ways that one and she knows how to shift the momentum of a match. When the Eagles are in any sort of doubt, they know they can rely on her to get the job done. I am excited to see how Dolbeare contributes not only in the championship, bot over the next few years as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ankeny Christian will be facing off against Janesville for a shot at the 1A State Title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->