Harlan’s Frederick pounds 30 kills to return to championship

CEDAR RAPIDS - Second-ranked Harlan adjusted, reasserted and Taylor Frederick took over.

The two-time defending state champions rebounded from an opening-game loss and eliminated No. 8 Sioux City Heelan, 24-26, 25-19, 25-17, 25-22 in a Class 4A volleyball state semifinal Thursday at the U.S. Cellular Center.

'I think we finally settled down a little bit,” Harlan Coach Angie Spangenberg said. 'Not probably as much as I would have like to have. We did settle down and we were able to pass the ball and when you do that, you can swing.”

Taylor Frederick was exceptional over the last three games. The senior signed to play basketball for the University of South Dakota on the Wednesday off day, then dominated the semifinal with 30 strong kills to each corner of the floor and 16 digs.

'I was just going to go out there and do my part and trust my teammates to do their part,” Frederick said. 'I think everyone just came out and gave all they've got. We wanted it so bad … Losing was not going to be an option for us. We were going to fight with all we had and come out very strong.'

After Harlan tied the match at a game apiece, Frederick began the crucial third game with Harlan's first five points via a block and four kills. Senior setter Jessica DuVal helped push the Game 3 lead to 8-3 with a pair of ace serves, and Heelan never got within three the rest of the way. Five ties and five lead changes highlighted the early portion of Game 4, and Heelan did get within a point late on a couple of occasions before kills by sophomore Haley Leinen and Frederick won it.

The victory sets up a 1-versus-2 championship rematch with top-ranked West Delaware (48-2) Friday at 12:15 p.m., a rare underdog role for Harlan.

'I don't think it's pressure, I think it's confidence,” said DuVal, who notched 54 assists. 'I think we're ready to roll and we're ready to do it our way.”

Senior Grace Hanno led with 16 kills for Heelan (31-14), which used four different setters this season due to injury and played in five different gymnasiums after a burst water pipe rendered its home gym inoperable.

'Everything that these girls have gone through, what class acts,” Heelan Coach Mary Miller said. 'How can you not call this a success working with these kids every day?”

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