No. 1 Saint Ansgar switches the first-round script at state volleyball

CORALVILLE -- No. 1 in volleyball. No. 1 in football.

Yeah, they win in the fall at Saint Ansgar. A lot.

“It’s a great community to be a part of,” volleyball coach Stephanie Beaver said. “And it’s not just one year in the making.”

This time, though, the Saints’ stay in Coralville will be a prolonged one.

Lindsay Kruse and Jacey Johnson combined for 28 kills -- against only one attack error -- to lead Saint Ansgar to a Class 1A quarterfinal sweep of No. 10 East Mills (25-11, 25-16, 25-18) at the state volleyball tournament Tuesday night at Xtream Arena.

“I love running this offense, it’s so amazing,” said setter Sofia Parrott, who transferred from Charles City for her senior season. “There’s just so much excitement.”

That excitement will continue into Wednesday, when the Saints (29-4) face No. 5 Dunkerton (30-11) in a 1A semifinal. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m.

The 1A volleyball championship match is Thursday, then the undefeated football team will host North Linn in a Class A quarterfinal Friday in the Mitchell County community of 1,200.

Back to volleyball: Saint Ansgar won its 20th straight match. The Saints’ four losses have come against 2A Denver (twice), 3A Humboldt and 5A Cedar Falls.

They have conquered teams like 1A No. 2 Janesville, which also advanced Tuesday, plus established bigger-school programs like Nevada, Waverly-Shell Rock and Johnston.

Here are the only two statistics you really need to know: Saint Ansgar owned a 42-22 advantage in kills, and hit at a potent .316 rate, compared to .041 for the Wolverines, who retired at 33-5.

“I don’t think (East Mills) had any idea where the ball was going to go,” Johnson said.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com