Sioux City Heelan fends off every Carlisle challenge in state volleyball quarterfinal sweep

CORALVILLE — When you have won 42 of your 45 matches in a volleyball season, there has to be a certain level of trust.

Sioux City Heelan Coach Lauren Boatman has developed that with her team and it showed in Monday’s Class 4A quarterfinal match with Carlisle.

“We've played a lot of volleyball this season,” Boatman said. “For the girls to have played that much volleyball all season long, they know what they are doing. We, as a coaching staff, trust them to take care of the ball and do their job.”

The second-ranked Crusaders (42-3) faced challenges in each set, having to fend off runs from Carlisle. They met each one and never wavered, posting a 25-19, 25-22, 25-18 victory at Xtream Arena.

That trust factor was there, even in the timeouts used when Carlisle surged.

“We just told them to control what they can control,” Boatman said. “We said to control our play and control our net and they went out there and did that.”

Both of the first two sets were tied at 18 before Heelan broke away. The Crusaders took control of the third set much earlier, but were never able to pull away until late.

It was also a comfort to have senior setter Maddie LaFleur running the show. A Morningside University commit, she has over 2,500 assists and 1,000 digs in her career. She had 27 assists and 14 digs in Monday's win.

The trust theme extends past the coaching staff to LeFleur, who is like another coach on the floor.

“I just trust my hitters a lot,” LaFleur said. “I know they have a good read on what to do and being able to put the ball away. I'm just here for them and it has worked out well.”

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Photos: Sioux City Heelan vs. Carlisle in Class 4A state volleyball quarterfinals

LaFleur also benefited from great passing from her teammates. The Crusaders only made three receiving errors in 55 chances.

“We knew they were a tough serving team,” said Heelan junior Ava Lloyd. “We did a really good job of getting our passes up and Maddie got everybody some great sets.”

Lloyd and senior Maliyah led the offense with 13 kills each. Ireland Jackson had 18 digs.

AshleeKay Christensen led Carlisle (25-10) with 11 kills and 13 digs.