Cedar Rapids Washington’s climb continues with a 5-set 5A regional volleyball win over Kennedy

CEDAR RAPIDS — Rome wasn’t built in a day, and an elite program isn’t built in a year.

These things take time.

“Day by day, we’re trying to get 1 percent better,” Cedar Rapids Washington volleyball coach Jaime Araiza said.

Resilience, that’s one sign of progress.

After letting the fourth set slip away, Washington rebounded immediately, building a 9-2 lead in Game 5. The Warriors went on to outlast Cedar Rapids Kennedy (22-25, 25-18, 25-20, 22-25, 15-11) in a Class 5A regional quarterfinal Tuesday night at Washington High School.

“It took a lot of heart,” outside hitter Breanna Franklin said. “We really wanted that fourth game, we didn’t get it, but we bounced right back.”

Washington (10-23) won for the eighth time in its last 13 matches and defeated Kennedy (11-27) for the third time this season.

And ...

“We made it to double-digit wins for the first time in a while,” Franklin said.

The first time since 2017, to be exact.

The Warriors advance to Thursday’s regional semifinal at No. 8 West Des Moines Valley (17-15).

When Araiza took the Washington job, he saw similarities with the school he graduated from, in New Mexico.

“There are a lot of kids that are willing to put in the work,” he said. “They want to play. They’re excited to play.”

And they’re excited to keep playing into Thursday.

Washington held an 18-17 lead in Game 4, but the Cougars made the plays late. The Warriors brushed it off and zoomed in front in the finale.

Kennedy got within 9-6, then 13-10. But Franklin’s kill got the Warriors to match point, then — after a missed serve — they closed it out with Selia Stein’s kill.

Postseason wins have been infrequent for the Warriors, though they did pick one up in 2021.

“All the feels,” said Mya Messenger, who converted all 32 of her serves, with four aces, and piloted the attack with 39 assists.

“I knew this could be my last match. It means a lot to beat our rivals at home. Our passers were doing great, and our hitters were executing. We’re trying to put the whole thing together.”

Franklin led all attackers with 20 kills. Stein and Ava Sales collected 11 apiece.

Kylie Johannes paced Kennedy with 19 kills.

Cedar Rapids Washington 3, Cedar Rapids Kennedy 2

(22-25, 25-18, 25-20, 22-25, 15-11)

Class 5A Regional Quarterfinal, at C.R. Washington

Serving: Kennedy 92-99 (.929), Washington 100-109 (.917)

Aces: Kennedy 8 (three with 2), Washington 13 (Mya Messenger, Tierney Hill 4)

Kills: Kennedy 54 (Kylie Johannes 19), Washington 48 (Breanna Franklin 20)

Assists: Kennedy 47 (Sydney Cira-Debban 21), Washington 43 (Messenger 39)

Blocks: Kennedy 9 (Jenna Younge 4), Washington 6 (three with 2)

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com