Bettendorf outlasts Cedar Falls to set up 5A title game rematch

CEDAR RAPIDS - Call it another semifinal gut-check for the veteran Bettendorf Bulldogs.

A loaded senior class with two state titles and a runner-up finish already to its credit, the second-ranked Bulldogs outlasted young and talented Cedar Falls, 25-22, 25-19, 24-26, 21-25, 15-9 in a thrilling Class 5A volleyball state semifinal Thursday at the U.S. Cellular Center.

'We knew every point was going to be a battle,” Bettendorf Coach Diane Lichtenberg said. 'Cedar Falls is a very good team.”

Bettendorf (35-2) was six points away from a sweep, leading 19-14 in Game 3. But Cedar Falls charged back with a 12-5 burst to force Game 4, which the Tigers also won, 26-24.

'I thought we got a little bit quiet,” Lichtenberg said. 'Maybe we were playing not to lose instead of playing to win. Then in that fifth set, it's do or die and I thought we came out with a lot of energy.”

Bettendorf trailed, 6-4, in Game 5 but closed with 11 of the game's final 14 points.

Senior Josie Herbst – one of six Bulldogs who will play Division I next season – was fantastic. The UNLV signee registered 27 kills and 10 digs.

The victory sets up a rematch for the 5A title Friday at 10 a.m. with No. 7 Ankeny Centennial (38-5), which swept Dubuque Hempstead in the other semifinal. Centennial swept the Bulldogs last season.

'Their defense is really good,” Herbst said. 'We just need to keep fighting.”

Senior setter Megan Sharkey had a whopping 53 assists, 11 digs and delivered four ace serves for the Bulldogs, while senior Margaret Micka added 11 crucial kills.

Taylor Lynch led No. 3 Cedar Falls (37-5) with 16 kills, while fellow sophomores Claire Gerdes and Grace Burken tallied 13 and 12, respectively. The Tigers graduate just four seniors from their roster.

'We got stuck in two rotations in a row where we gave up a couple points,” Cedar Falls Coach Matthew Johnson said of Game 5. 'In a short game to 15, you really just can't have those rotations.”

l Comments: douglas.miles@thegazette.com