Austin Filer ‘thankful’ to be leading Xavier volleyball

CEDAR RAPIDS - Austin Filer has shaped the Cedar Rapids Xavier volleyball team into one of the strongest in school history.

This is Filer's first year as head coach of the Saints. He has been working with the team since the summer to make sure it was prepared going into the state tournament.

'I am so thankful that this team has allowed me to be a part of their journey this year,” said Filer, whose Saints opened Class 4A state play with a win over Marion. 'They have been dedicated from the first summer open gym and I couldn't be more proud of the growth that they have shown. Being a new coach is always challenging, but the support of the administration, parents, and student body has been phenomenal.”

The Saints swept Fort Madison and Clinton, 3-0, in regionals to earn their fifth state berth, their first since 2012.

'Knowing that all of our hard work has paid off this season feels amazing,” junior Charlotte Richards said. 'All the countless hours in the gym have paid off because we have accomplished so much.”

The Saints play Dubuque Wahlert at noon today in a 4A semifinal.