North Scott warms up for 4-set state volleyball first-round win over ADM

CORALVILLE — It took her a little while to get going, but once Abbey Hayes got her powerful right arm cranked up the North Scott volleyball team came to life.

The No. 4 Lancers lost the opening set to fifth-ranked Adel ADM in their Class 4A state quarterfinal on Monday at Xtream Arena. At that point, Hayes caught fire in the final three games, leading North Scott to a 19-25, 25-19, 25-9, 25-13 victory.

Next up for the 27-4 Lancers, making their fifth-straight state appearance, is a date with top-ranked and unbeaten Clear Creek Amana in a noon Wednesday semifinal.

ADM finishes its season at 27-4.

Hayes, a Creighton commit, got her game going in the second and third sets.

“I'm just very competitive and I wasn't going to let us lose that match,” said Hayes, a 6-foot-3 junior. “I just wanted the ball. I was swinging well and I was in a groove.”

Hayes started her run late in the second set, helping the Lancers pull away late. The momentum then carried over to the next two sets where North Scott built big leads and was never threatened.

“We were down one set and I just wanted everybody to relax and play our game,” Hayes said. “Once we figured out our passing, we really got things going.”

Her offense seemed to inspire her teammates as well.

“After I got one or two down, I was really connected with the setters,” Hayes said. “I think that really helped to get the momentum going for all of our players.

“Everyone got more confident. I think once we got a big lead (in the third set), our hitters could be more relaxed and take really good swings.”

Kaci Johnson added nine kills for the Lancers. Georgia Brunkan had 24 digs. Marissa Gerleman led ADM with 12 kills. Madison Siefken had 19 digs.