Hull generates another winner

CEDAR RAPIDS -- That other team from Hull can play, too.

Whitney Vander Maten played beyond her modest stature, and fourth-ranked Boyden-Hull swept No. 5 Stanton, 25-21, 25-10, 25-21, in a Class 1A quarterfinal at the state volleyball tournament Thursday afternoon at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena.

The Comets (28-3) are making their first state appearance in 20 years, and it will be a prolonged one. They'll face No. 1 Tripoli in a semifinal at 6 p.m. Friday. The Panthers (38-3) are three-time defending champions.

"We've got to keep attacking, and our back row will be a key," Vander Maten said. "If we limit our serve-receive errors, we should be OK."

You think volleyball in Hull -- and in Northwest Iowa in general -- you think Western Christian, a mighty program with 29 state appearances and 13 championships.

Apparently, there are enough good players to go around in the community.

"I know a lot of their players, but we don't play them," Vander Maten said.

Despite a 5-foot-6 frame, Vander Maten was able to sky for 11 kills to join Nicole Ewoldt for team honors. Kassidy Van Voorst delivered 32 assists.

The teams' proximity in the rankings -- No. 4 vs. No. 5 -- would indicate a competitive match. It really wasn't. Credit the Comets.

Game 1 was tied at 19-all before Boyden-Hull made the critical run, a four-point surge that put the Comets in control for good. Ewoldt had a kill to start the run and an ace to end it.

Boyden-Hull blew open the second set with an 18-4 run to race away from a 5-5 tie, then did not face a deficit throughout the final game.

Carmen Subbert led Stanton (33-2) with 11 kills.

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