Centennial's debut is a sweep

 CEDAR RAPIDS -- Ankeny Centennial's debut was dandy.Third-ranked Centennial led the first two sets from start to finish, then overcame a set point in Game 3 to sweep No. 5 Johnston, 25-22, 25-16, 27-25, in a Class 5A quarterfinal at the state volleyball tournament Tuesday morning at the U.S. Cellular Center."In practice, we play a lot of games, first to five points," said Centennial setter McKenna Pierson. "It really helps you focus."In its first year of existence, Centennial (33-8) advances to Thursday's semifinal opposite No. 2 Bettendorf (35-2).Ankeny was a one-school town until this fall, when Centennial opened. The new school encompasses the north side of town.It was a mixed-bag day for the Ankeny schools, both of which qualified. No. 1 Ankeny fell in five sets to West Des Moines Dowling."It's been kind of difficult, being separated from our friends," Pierson said. "But we're building new friendships, and we were rooting for (Ankeny), too."Jaali Winters posted 12 kills and three aces to lead the Jaguars. Pierson distributed 22 assists,.Centennial built an 18-11 lead in the opener before Johnston (32-5) rallied within 22-21. But Winters kills accounted for two of the Jaguars' final three points of the set.A 7-1 run midway through Game 2 put Centennial in control at 17-9, and the Jaguars were never threatened in that set.Johnston didn't go quietly in the finale, turning a 21-15 deficit into set point at 25-24.But, after the Jaguars tied it, Winters posted back-to-back blocks to close it out.Taylor Joens collected 14 kills for Johnston.