Efficient Hawks sweep to semis

CEDAR RAPIDS - Call it Court Economics.

'The thing that struck me most (about West Delaware) is this,” said Indianola Coach Kent Halstead. 'They just don't waste anything.”

The second-ranked Hawks added efficiency to their normal repertoire of tempo and nothing-hits-the-ground defense and swept No. 8 Indianola, 25-15, 25-20, 25-19, in a Class 4A quarterfinal at the state volleyball tournament Tuesday afternoon at the U.S. Cellular Center.

West Delaware (44-2) had only one period of doubt, in the third game, but crawled out of a 15-12 hole with a seven-point run and advanced to the semifinals for the first time since a runner-up finish in 2010.

'It's been a few years,” said Hawks libero Emily Thole, referring to their quarterfinal exits of 2012 and 2013. 'I've been nervous all week. But I knew we could do it.”

West Delaware will face Wamac Conference rival Marion or Charles City in the semifinals at noon Thursday.

The only opening for Indianola (32-10) came in the third set. But it closed quickly.

A ball-handling error by the Indians have West Delaware a 16-15 lead, and the Hawks continued to build on it.

An ace by Thole, a kill by Carlee Ketchum and another Thole ace extended the run to seven, and the Hawks were on their way.

'Indianola stepped up and had a great start to the third set, but once we relaxed, we were OK,” said Hawks Coach Brett Mather.

The stretch run was Bridget Hoffmann's time to shine. She recorded kills for three straight West Delaware points as the Hawks closed in.

The first two sets came easily. The Hawks jumped to a 13-5 lead in the opener, then pulled away steadily in Game 2.

'They play at a quicker, faster pace than we're used to,” said Indianola's Nicole Coghlan.

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