Gritty senior Natalie Randolph helps lead Holy Trinity to a 1A state volleyball first-round win over Don Bosco

CORALVILLE — Some kids just deserve it.

Some kids, like Natalie Randolph.

A senior at Fort Madison Holy Trinity, Randolph tore her right ACL at practice about 15 months ago. A cumbersome-looking brace is her companion.

And that’s not the whole story.

“I’ve started to have quad issues in my other leg because I’m overcompensating,” Randolph said.

“You would think the brace would slow me down, but it’s not too bad, even though it slides on me a little.”

Randolph nearly posted a volleyball-style triple double, recording nine kills, 12 assists and 14 digs in third-ranked Holy Trinity’s Class 1A quarterfinal sweep of No. 10 Don Bosco (25-21, 25-17, 25-21) at the state tournament Tuesday night at Xtream Arena.

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“Three and a half weeks ago, I wasn’t sure if she was coming back,” Crusaders Coach Melissa Freesmeier said. “She tweaked it at Senior Night.

“They did an MRI, some people worked their magic and she was able to get better and better.

“She’s such an inspiration for other people that want to come back. She deserves this. All of these seniors deserve it.

“And how about that freshman?”

That would be Adalyn Kruse, who knocked down seven kills in 10 swings, without an error.

Holy Trinity is a regular here, making its 13th appearance in the last 14 years. The Crusaders (32-10) face No. 2 Boyden-Hull (22-11) in a semifinal at 6:25 Wednesday night.

“It’s good to have the jitters out and get ready for the next round,” said Mary Kate Bendlage, who led all attackers with 11 kills.

The Crusaders were out slow, falling behind 9-2. But they regrouped, and at 21-all, they scored the final four points of the set.

It got easier from there. Holy Trinity played from ahead throughout most of the last two sets.

Don Bosco (24-17) got 10 kills apiece from Alexis Even and Kennedi McGarvey.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com