13th straight semi for Western

CEDAR RAPIDS -- It's an autumn routine.

Days get shorter. Leaves fall from trees. Combines hit the field.

And Western Christian advances to the state volleyball semifinals.

The second-rated Wolfpack nailed down their 13th consecutive final-four appearance -- a state record -- by dismantling No. 9 Grundy Center, 25-15, 25-13, 25-15, in a 57-minute Class 2A quarterfinal at the state tournament Wednesday afternoon at the U.S. Cellular Center.

"We're a blessed team," said Summer Jansen. "We've had a lot of good players coming through. It's fun to be a part of it."

The 2A runner-up the last two years, Western (44-2) meets No. 3 Sumner-Fredericksburg (38-3) in the semis at 4 p.m. Thursday.

Imagine that. Western Christian has been at state 13 straight years. And each time, they've won its opening match. The current seniors weren't in school the last time the Wolfpack fell short of the semifinals.

There wasn't any real drama in this match. Grundy Center (29-9) is a fine team, but not at Western's level.

"They're an amazing team," Grundy Center setter Riley Sents said of the Wolfpack. "They're very offensive, from pin to pin. They moved the ball around and kept us on our toes."

Western owned the first set, then Grundy Center had a brief glimmer to start Game 2, getting out to a 3-0 lead.

But the Wolfpack caught up quickly, taking an 8-7 and pulling away.

Grundy Center led the final set, 3-1, before Western scored the next seven points.

A telling tale: Western Christian outkilled the Spartans, 50-10. Haley Moss and Ema Altema had 11 kills apiece, Jansen 10. Jamie Gesink distributed 39 assists.Katie Lindaman posted five kills for Grundy Center. She was the only Spartan with more than one.