Experience matters: Centennial sweeps Iowa City West in a 5A quarterfinal

CORALVILLE — Ankeny Centennial is making its 12th straight appearance at the state volleyball tournament.

Iowa City West, its first in nine years.

So you can guess which team was more composed at crunch time.

Second-ranked Centennial scored the final two points in the first set, the last four in the third and swept No. 8 West (25-23, 25-17, 25-23) in a Class 5A quarterfinal at the state volleyball tournament Monday afternoon at Xtream Arena.

“It’s something we talk about, relying on our experience,” Centennial Coach Jessica Rinehart said. “Our seniors have played here the last two years, and put everybody on their backs.”

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Centennial (33-5) came back from a 23-21 deficit in the final set and advanced to face CIML rival No. 7 West Des Moines Valley (28-12) in a 5A semifinal at 10:25 Wednesday morning.

The Jaguars started five seniors, West none.

“We’ve got people that have been in this position, and that’s such a game-changer,” said Centennial’s Maegan Cheeseman, who knocked down 10 kills to complement Tatem Schmidt’s 11.

West (27-6) rallied from a 22-17 deficit to square the first set at 23-23, and put itself in position to take Game 3.

In both instances, the Jaguars made the winning plays.

In Game 1, it was back-to-back right-side kills from Schmidt.

Then, with the finish line in sight, Adilyne Rayes and Schmidt converted kills to tie Game 3, 23-23. An ace by Kaelyn Rinehart got the Jaguars to match point, then a West attack error ended it.

“I really would have like to have seen some better serve reception today,” West Coach Jaedynn Evans said. “We played with a lot of grit, but it’s hard to compete with a lot of veterans.

The Trojans return virtually their entire roster for 2026, and Evans said Monday’s outcome “will light a fire under 100 percent of our butts.”

West’s Sophia Austen, who led all attackers with 16 kills, concurred.

“I’m proud of how we fought, but this will be in the back of our mind every day until next season,” the Iowa State recruit said. “The two close sets, we were right there.”

Freshman Cyan Blommer added 11 kills. Lila Eastvold distributed 32 assists.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com