Uncharted waters: Lisbon upends No. 14 Keota

Game

1

2

3

4

5

Keota (25-6)

25

18

25

25

14

Lisbon (13-13)

23

25

21

27

16

KALONA -- The joke's over.

Brittni Reid served 11 of Lisbon's 20 aces, including two near the end of the decisive set, and the Lions upended No. 14 Keota, 23-25, 25-18, 21-25, 27-25, 16-14, in a Class 1A regional semifinal volleyball match Friday night at Iowa Mennonite School.

The Lions (14-13) advanced to the regional finals for the first time in school history.

"This program used to be a laughing stock, a joke," said Lisbon Coach Lance Kamaus. "Three years ago, we won two matches. Two years ago, we won six matches.

"We have three seniors, and it would have been easy for them to quit. But they stuck it out."

Lisbon will face No. 6 Fort Madison Holy Trinity for a state-tournament berth Tuesday at Mount Pleasant. The Crusaders (38-9) swept New London.

This much is certain: The Lions will fight. They had numerous opportunities to fold on Friday. They refused.

Keota (25-7) rallied from an 8-1 deficit in the final game to take a 12-11 lead, but Reid stepped to the line and served the Lions back in front.

Back-to-back aces made it 14-12.

"There were some holes at the front of their defense," Reid said. "That was what we were aiming for all night."

The Eagles rallied to tie it at 14-all, but Lisbon had the final surge. Taylor Jamison, one of those three determined seniors, delivered consecutive kills to send the Lions into uncharted waters.

Keota won the first and third games and appeared to take control in Game 4, scoring the first six points. But the Lions rallied to tie at 10-all and 11-all, then took their first lead at 13-12. They built a 24-20 advantage, the Eagles rallied to tie, then a kill by Alex Moothart and an ace by Jamison sent the match to a fifth game.

Lisbon owned a 55-38 advantage in kills. Melissa Alger collected 15 kills, Kady Light posted 14. Reid had 20 assists.

Hannah Brenneman led Keota with 16 kills, and Jenna Altenhofen added 12. But the Lions had more weapons -- six hitters finished with five kills or more.

"We're still pretty young," Kamaus said. "But we have athletes."

[gallery link="file" columns="2" orderby="ID"]