Center Point-Urbana storms to a sweep in regional volleyball opener

CENTER POINT — A quick match called for a succint analysis.

"We were on fire," Center Point-Urbana Coach Cathy Husmann said, and it would be foolish to argue.

CPU played from ahead all night and swept Monticello (25-7, 25-17, 25-6) in a Class 3A volleyball regional quarterfinal Wednesday night at Center Point-Urbana High School.

The Stormin' Pointers (24-15) assembled an early 14-point surge, didn't trail all match, and dusted the Panthers (15-15) in less than an hour.

A state-tournament qualifier last year, CPU is two steps away from a return visit to the U.S. Cellular Center, but they are two tricky steps. The Stormin' Pointers play at No. 9 Dyersville Beckman (26-9) Tuesday.

'If we play like we did tonight, there's no question we can beat them,' senior Taegan Fink said. 'That early run was really important. It gave us verification that we could do it, and it made everything click.'

So did balance. The Stormin' Pointers generally are reliant on Abigail Weideman, but there were weapons aplenty Wednesday. Fink led the team with 10 kills. Weideman added seven, Allie Wooldridge six, Callyn Fox and Delaney McSweeney five apiece.

'Teams love to hone in on (Weideman), but we were able to spread it around tonight,' Husmann said.

CPU collected 38 kills, compared to 14 for the Panthers.

'We were passing really well tonight, and our play at the net was really good,' said setter Morgan Husmann, who collected 32 assists. 'We ran a fast offense.'

That speed allowed the Stormin' Pointers to attack before the Panthers could construct a block.

The teams traded four sideouts to start the match, then CPU went on its run to build a 16-2 lead. And that was the theme of the night; the Stormin' Pointers raced away early in each set. A six-point run put CPU in control, 13-4, in the second set, then registered the first six points of the finale.

Monticello did not start a senior. Freshman Jordan Kuper led the Panthers with five kills.

CENTER POINT-URBANA 3, MONTICELLO 0 (25-7, 25-17, 25-6)

Class 3A Regional Quarterfinal, at Center Point

Serving — Monticello 28-31 (.903), CPU 69-73 (.945)

Aces — Monticello 1 (Shalay Bronemann), CPU 10 (Abigail Weideman 3)

Kills — Monticello 14 (Jordan Kuper 5), CPU 38 (Taegan Fink 10)

Assists — Monticello 13 (Maddie Lambert), CPU 35 (Morgan Husmann 32)

Blocks — Monticello 2 (Lambert, Corrine Gadient), CPU 7 (Allie Wooldridge 3)

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