Hudson's Kylie DeBerg racks up 31 kills in 1A quarterfinal win over Lawton-Bronson

CEDAR RAPIDS — So often at the high school volleyball state tournament, the first-time qualifier meets the perennial power.

But Wednesday in the Class 1A quarterfinals, two rookie tournament teams did battle.

University of Illinois recruit Kylie DeBerg recorded a game-high 31 kills as second-ranked Hudson advanced to the 1A semifinals with an 18-25, 26-24, 25-14, 26-24 victory over No. 11 Lawton-Bronson at the U.S. Cellular Center.

'The first game we didn't really play like a team,' DeBerg said. 'Coming into the second game and especially the third game, we really picked it up and played as a team like we have been the whole season.'

The senior middle hitter leads the state with 649 kills this season. After dropping the first game, Hudson rallied from a 15-10 deficit and claimed Game 2, 26-24.

'After the timeout, I just asked them, 'Are you satisfied with being here? We've got business to take care of. Do you want your season to end?,'' Hudson Pirates Coach Steve Baird said. 'We came out of the timeout and went on a huge run and got momentum and kind of took off from there.'

Hudson (34-4) opened Game 3 with 15 of the first 20 points on its way to a 25-14 victory. The clincher appeared destined for another double-digit Hudson margin, but Lawton-Bronson rallied for a 23-23 tie before succumbing, 26-24. Hudson has won 17 matches in a row.

'This group of girls is the most business-like team,' Baird said. 'Not a lot of celebration. They know how to get the job done. They refuse to lose.'

Hudson will face third-ranked Springville (29-7) in a semifinal Thursday at 6 p.m. Senior setter Madison Sallee dealt 43 assists, while junior Ashley Polendo collected a team-high 12 digs. Senior middle hitter Lauren Murray added 10 kills.

'I still think that we have something to prove and we feel like we need to prove ourselves and make a name for ourselves here at the state tournament,' Lauren Murray said.

Senior middle hitter Jadin Wagner led Lawton-Bronson (33-8) with 15 kills, while outside hitter Jenna Wede added 14 kills and 13 digs.

'They have good hitters and they have a great middle,' Jenna Wede said. 'When they're in trouble, they find her (DeBerg) because they know she'll put the ball down.'

l Comments: douglas.miles@thegazette.com