No. 1 Cedar Rapids Xavier volleyball brings confidence, a target into state tournament

CEDAR RAPIDS - A lofty ranking has placed a target squarely on the back of the Cedar Rapids Xavier volleyball team all season long.

The Saints will officially get the chance to back it up.

Senior Charlotte Richards posted a game-high 17 kills as top-ranked Xavier advanced to the state tournament for the second year in a row with a 25-18, 25-18, 25-16 sweep of Fort Madison in a Class 4A volleyball regional final Monday night at Ron Thillen Gymnasium.

'We know we have a target on our back and teams will want to beat us,” said Richards, a returning all-state selection and Missouri-St. Louis recruit. 'But we're going to keep working hard every day in the gym and hope to come back with a state championship.”

The Saints (31-9) will open the state tournament with a 4A quarterfinal against Independence (33-8) Nov. 7 at 6 p.m. at the U.S. Cellular Center.

'We've got high goals and we've got a lot left to achieve,” said Xavier Coach Austin Filer, who has led the Saints to the state tournament in both of his seasons at the helm. 'We'll feel great tonight and then tomorrow we'll get back out there.”

Richards and fellow senior outside hitter Ellie McDermott helped the Saints jump on the Bloodhounds in Game 1. Four of McDermott's 11 kills were tallied during a 7-2 surge that gave Xavier an 11-7 lead. The Saints closed the first game with four of five points, all kills by Richards.

'It's ridiculous,” McDermott said. 'I think we do a lot of damage this year. We really rely on each other and Charlotte is a great outside to have with me, and I've had a pleasure to play with her these past four years.”

Xavier used a 15-3 burst to get some distance in Game 2, then scored seven of the first eight points in the clincher.

'We had a couple good service runs, couple players that really hit their target,” Filer said. 'Kind of forced them into some tough spots. Regardless of how your season has gone, these matches just feel a little bit different. It takes a little while to get doing what you want to do.”

Junior outside hitter Akeela Jefferson added seven kills, while senior libero Jade Henderson and freshman setter Jaz Yamilkoski both served up a pair of aces. Henderson also led the Saints with 17 digs, while senior Rachel Sodawasser distributed 18 assists.

'Honestly, it feels like this could be our year,” McDermott said. 'It's very exciting, especially as a senior.”

6-foot-1 senior Amber Dilsaver had 11 kills and four blocks for Fort Madison, which ends its season at 25-8.

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