A record-setting rout for No. 1 Tripoli

CEDAR RAPIDS -- This was a mismatch of historic proportions.

Megan Gilbert pounded 27 kills, and top-ranked Tripoli scored the first 20 points of a 25-1, 25-7, 25-13 rout of N0. 10 Woodward-Granger in a Class 1A quarterfinal at the state volleyball tournament Thursday afternoon at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena.

"Our coach (Will Baumann) has this quote: 'The most respect you can show for your opponent is to kick their butts,' " Gilbert said after the carnage was complete.

If so, the three-time defending 1A champion Panthers (38-3) must have had the utmost respect for Woodward-Granger. Because they set state-tournament records for points allowed in a game (1) and a match (21) since rally-scoring was implemented in 2003.

The old record for a game was two, surrendered by Dubuque Wahlert in a 2003 Class 3A first-round win over Forest City. The former mark for a match was 27, set twice by Mount Vernon -- in a 2A semifinal against Pella Christian in 2009 and again in a 3A quarterfinal against Red Oak.

Tripoli's triumph took just 50 minutes. After the Panthers scored a sideout point to start the match, Cali Beyer served the next 19 points.

"It was really important to get off to a good start," Beyer said. "I just picked out my spot and said, 'Don't miss it.' "

The Panthers will face No. 4 Boyden-Hull (28-3) in a semifinal at 6 p.m. Friday.

Gilbert, a senior bound for Saint Louis University and a potential state player of the year, did not play in the back row until late in the second game.

She posted a kill efficiency of .658 -- 27 kills against two errors in 38 attempts. Tripoli had a team efficiency of .515.

Bailey Kirchhoff added eight kills while Sara Hoppenworth dished out 34 assists.

Maddie Bardole had six kills for Woodward-Granger (20-6).

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