Youngsters help fuel Hawks

 CEDAR RAPIDS — West Delaware is a veteran team with two young, key pieces.

'It's been great watching them grow,' said libero Mariah Kleitsch. 'They came out here, and they were ready to fire.'

The stage wasn't too big, the lights weren't too bright for Lauren Collier and Claire Demmer. Both made significant contibutions as top-rated West Delaware battled past No. 14 Western Dubuque, 25-21, 26-24, 25-19, in a Class 4A quarterfinal at the state volleyball tournament Tuesday afternoon at the U.S. Cellular Center.

A sophomore outside hitter and a freshman middle, Collier and Demmer combined for nine kills — against four hitting errors — as the Hawks (47-2) advanced to the semifinal round.

There, they'll face No. 6 Lewis Central (33-5) at noon Thursday.

'Demmer, it was her first time on this court,' Mather said. 'I talked to (setter) Carlee (Ketchum), and told her we've got to get production out of all six positions.'

Consider it done.

Kristen Wegmann led the way with 13 kills. Bridget Hoffmann added nine. Ketchum posted seven to go with 31 assists.

Still, Western Dubuque (24-13) gave the Hawks plenty.

'More than I wanted,' Mather said. 'They came out and played a very solid match.'

The Bobcats knocked off No. 5 Dubuque Wahlert and No. 9 Clinton in regional play, then were competitive Tuesday.

'We accomplished a lot,' said Western Dubuque's Megan Maahs, who posted 19 kills and will sign a national letter of intent Wednesday to play basketball at UNI. 'West Delaware is a good team, and they're going to be hard to beat. I hope they come out and do great at the end.'

Western Dubuque fought back from a 24-19 deficit in the second set, getting even at 24-all on Maahs' kill, but Collier's kill put the Hawks back in front, and Maahs was just long on an attack attempt to give West Delaware the set.

The Bobcats led the final set, 18-17, but Wegmann had three kills, Demmer two and Collier one in a six-point run. Demmer's kill was match point.

The youngsters' roles increased upon the injury of Addison Brooks, an all-stater last year.

'The nerves don't get to them,' Wegmann said. 'They played great at the end of the season.'

l Comments: (319) 368-8857; jeff.linder@thegazette.com