Strong hitters help deliver knockout for Cougars

CEDAR RAPIDS - Sumner-Fredericksburg has a strong 1-2 punch.

Junior hitters Jaydlin Seehase and Becca Pagel are the 'go-to” options and they helped deliver a knockout blow for the Cougars.

They combined for 40 kills as ninth-ranked Sumner-Fredericksburg upset No. 2 Unity Christian, 25-19, 25-27, 25-18, 25-21, in the Class 2A quarterfinals on Wednesday at the U.S. Cellular Center. The Cougars (31-3) reached the semifinals for the third straight year and face Dike-New Hartford next.

Seehase led the way with 23 kills and Pagel added 17, as Seehase provided the final point in the victory. Cougars Coach Gwen Pagel said Seehase has power and good vision of the court. The younger Pagel, at just 5-foot-6, can jump and play the ball well. They make a good combination.

'We know they are going to make good decisions,” said Gwen Pagel, mentioning the entire team played well. 'They are going to find a way to put the ball down.”

Unity Christian expected a tough test, slowing down the duo.

'We knew coming in they had two outstanding outside hitters, but in person they were even better than expected,” Knights Coach Patty Timmermans said. 'They were even better than they looked on film.”

Sumner-Fredericksburg used an 8-5 stretch to take control in the first. After letting the second set slip away, the Cougars came out strong in the third, grabbing a 12-6 edge on consecutive kills by Becca Pagel and Georgia Ackley, who added an ace during a six-point run to help earn a 2-1 advantage.

The Cougars, who received 49 assists from Jenna Brandt, opened the fourth with a 3-0 lead.

'In volleyball, momentum changes,” Gwen Pagel said. 'We got the jump in the third and in the fourth we didn't want to go to game 5.”

Unity Christian (36-5) received 23 kills from Anna Kiel and 13 from Josie Blankespoor. The Knights also received three aces from Allison Timmermans.

'We fought,” Patty Timmermans said. 'Things didn't seem to go our way as much as you would want to and I have to credit Sumner-Fredericksburg. They played an awesome match.”

The Cougars have been tested all season. They felt they were much better than being ranked ninth, especially given their recent history including four straight state appearances.

'That was like we are going to come down here and prove something,” Gwen Pagel said. 'They did a great job of doing that (Wednesday).”

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