Nevada returns to the state semifinals

CEDAR RAPIDS — Nevada has some unfinished business from its last trip to the state volleyball tournament.

After a slow start, the Cubs took care of business in the opening round.

Fourth-ranked Nevada defeated No. 9 Waterloo Columbus, 22-25, 25-17, 25-20, 25-16 in the Class 3A state quarterfinals Wednesday at the U.S. Cellular Center. The Cubs (31-9) will face Carroll Kuemper in Thursday's semifinals.

Nevada reached the semifinals last season, falling to eventual state champion Solon.

'This year, we see it as our chance to go take it all,' junior Abby Stephenson said. 'That is our big goal this year and we've been saying all the time to take it one at a time so this is just another game until we make it to the championship game.'

They used a team effort to overcome early errors and a pesky Sailor team that closed the opening game by winning nine of the last 14 points. Nevada, in its third straight state appearance, rebounded and took control, demonstrating toughness to take on the Sailors' challenge.

'I thought they bounced back,' Nevada Coach Will Baumann said. 'I loved the resiliency I saw and the grit.'

The Cubs took the second game to even things up. Erin Francis made a big contribution, tallying at least five kills and an ace in that eight-point victory. Francis had 16 total kills, including the match's final point that sealed it.

'Erin played well,' Baumann said. 'She swung well.

'She is a senior. She wants to finish strong and that's what she did (Wednesday).'

Columbus threatened again in the third, rolling to a 10-3 advantage. The Cubs rallied again, winning 10 of 13 points in one stretch to tie it and closing with 8 of the last 12 points.

'We could tell the other team was losing energy,' said Stephenson, who had 15 kids for Nevada. 'They weren't really stepping it up as much. We knew we had to keep going until we got to 25.'

Nevada never trailed, jumping to a 9-1 lead before building a 20-10 edge in the final game.

Kati Cassabaum added seven kills for Nevada. Gillian Tupper had 37 assists and Amaris Hornbuckle served five aces in a complete team effort.

'I think that's what makes us a strong team, because it's hard to focus on one of our players,' Baumann said. ''You have to take us all. You have to take on all six kids and we have some kids that can attack pretty much everywhere.'

Lauren McManus led the Sailors with 22 kills. Anna Sinnott added 13. Amber Koch had a game-high 41 assists.

'I think we played well,' McManus said. 'They just came out on top.'

Columbus (20-15) made its sixth state appearance and first since 2008. A young team will look to continue the success that lead to this year's finish.

'It's nice to restart that tradition,' Columbus Coach Hanna Nuss said. 'We thank our seniors for helping us get here. All our girls coming back, just excited to build on that tradition even more.'

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