Centennial a step away from 5A repeat

CEDAR RAPIDS — Jessica Rinehart's first comment in the press room consisted of two words:

'We're back.'

Despite losing nine seniors to graduation, yes, Ankeny Centennial is back in the Class 5A championship match to defend its state volleyball crown. The seventh-ranked Jaguars swept No. 12 Dubuque Hempstead, 25-20, 25-19, 25-23.

The outcome sets up a 5A championship rematch at 10 a.m. Friday — defending champion Centennial (38-5) against Bettendorf (35-2). The second-ranked Bulldogs outlasted No. 3 Cedar Falls in five sets Thursday to reach their fourth straight final.

Centennial handed the Bulldogs their only loss last season in a championship-match sweep.

'Bombs away,' Rinehart — the Jaguars' coach — said in reference to the championship match. 'Bettendorf's obviously a very good team. We've got to come out and play well and keep attacking.'

The Jaguars were able to sidestep 21 kills by Hempstead's Kasey Davis on Thursday. And they've been able to overcome all those graduation losses.

'It really wasn't that hard,' said senior Tasha Vipond. 'The people that were challenging those seniors last year are playing this year.'

Centennial held the lead through the majority of all three sets. The Jaguars pulled away in the first set with the final three points. In the third, they scored six in a row for a 14-10 lead.

Hempstead (26-12), which upset No. 1 West Des Moines Dowling in the quarterfinals, pulled into a 23-all tie. But Haley Matter's kill put the Jaguars on the brink, then Meredith Sieck ended it with an ace.

Ari Winters, a freshman and younger sister of former all-stater Jaali Winters, led Centennial with 13 kills. Lauren Rieck added 10.

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