West proceeds to regional final after third win over City High

IOWA CITY - Before the start of Thursday's Class 5A regional semifinal match, the Iowa City West volleyball team tossed handfuls of candy into the student section.

Their festive spirit continued throughout the night, handing their home crowd a third victory this season over rival Iowa City High, 3-1 (20-25, 25-15, 25-21, 25-20). The win sets up a showdown with Linn-Mar on Tuesday for a trip to the state tournament.

'Our home fans brought great energy tonight,” West junior Ali Tauchen said. 'We just wanted to use our energy and out surroundings to our advantage.”

Despite winning the Battle for the Spike earlier this season, Iowa City West head coach Randy Dolson admitted there were some nerves before the game.

'This town is crazy for this match-up,” Dolson said. 'Before the game, we had to talk about our nerves a little bit, which was concerning. I think that played into this match for sure.”

Iowa City High took advantage early in Game 1, rushing out to a 5-2 lead. West clawed back, and Emma Norris drilled her third kill of the set to put West on top, 10-5.

The Little Hawks fought back, and Alexa Aldrich-Ingram drove home four kills to give City High the first game.

'Alexa came out and played solid the whole match,” City High head coach Craig Pitcher said. 'Tonight, I think she knew that if she let down, we would take a big hit offensively.”

West controlled the second game, opening a 5-1 advantage. A Maddie Fay kill found its way untouched through the rafters and down, inbounds, on the City High side of the court.

'The leadership we have helped us overcome our nerves,” Dolson said. 'You get a kill, you keep the ball inbounds, you get a block, it really builds your confidence.”

West and City High battled through Game 3, but West took the game, 25-21, on an ace by Tauchen. West took a commanding 18-12 lead in Game 4 to hang on for the win.

'It's really hard to beat a really good team three times,” said Tauchen. 'It feels really good.”