Western earns another shot at DNH

CEDAR RAPIDS — Here they go again.

Western Christian finds itself in a familiar spot, with a familiar dance partner.

Ema Altena clobbered 14 kills as the third-ranked Wolfpack overwhelmed No. 2 Sumner-Fredericksburg, 25-22, 25-16, 25-18, in a Class 2A semifinal at the state volleyball tournament Thursday afternoon at the U.S. Cellular Center.

'We had to keep our unforced errors down and focus on what we do well,' said Western libero Payton Harmsen. 'We didn't want to give them any free points.'

Western (44-3) advances to the 2A final for the 13th time in 14 years. The Wolfpack meet — who else? — No. 1 Dike-New Hartford (39-3) for the title at 4:45 p.m. Friday.

It is the fourth straight year these teams have met for the title (DNH won the last three), and the seventh time overall (Western prevailed in 2003, 2007 and 2008).

'We're thankful for the opportunity, grateful to be in this position again,' Harmsen said.

Western's Tammi Veerbeek and DNH's Diane Harms have been the coaches in each of the meetings.

'(DNH) has a dynamic group of senior athletes,' Veerbeek said. 'There have been a few friendships made in this rivalry. I have tremendous respect for them.'

Sumner-Fredericksburg (31-3) was the higher-ranked team coming into this match, but Western was clearly the superior team. The Wolfpack ran up a 45-22 advantage in kills and 9-1 in blocks.

'We talked about jumping in front right away and getting the momentum up,' Harmsen said.

Kenzie Bousema, Karsyn Winterfeld and Kaira Moss added eight kills apiece for the Wolfpack. Jamie Gesink counted 38 assists.

Becca Pagelput down eight kills for Sumner-Fredericksburg.

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