Bulldogs oust Hempstead, MVC

CEDAR RAPIDS -- These Bulldogs are anything but underdogs.

They're the defending champions. They have three Division-I commitments. They're ranked nationally.

"It's definitely a different mentality than last year," said Bettendorf Coach Diane Lichtenberg. "Last year, everything we did at state was a bonus."

This year, a repeat is the expectation. The motto: "Defend Til the End."

The end hasn't approached yet.

Second-ranked Bettendorf didn't need any help, but capitalized on 24 hitting errors by No. 8 Dubuque Hempstead and swept the Mustangs, 25-14, 25-20, 25-15, in a Class 5A quarterfinal at the state volleyball tournament Thursday afternoon at the U.S. Cellular Center.

"We're definitely in a different position this year," said Bettendorf's Anna Willey. "But we're playing for ourselves and ignoring the expectations."

The Bulldogs (35-2) meet No. 3 Ankeny Centennial (33-8) in a semifinal at 10 a.m. Thursday.

Hempstead's ouster meant the end of the road for the Mississippi Valley Conference. The semifinals consist of Bettendorf and three CIML teams.

The Mustangs (34-6) had one real opening, leading the second set, 13-10.

But the Bulldogs scored the next six points to take control for good.

"It's almost like we eased up after we'd go on a run," said Hempstead's Lauren Streets. "Then we'd get down when we really needed to step up for each other.

University of Georgia recruit Devan Porter led the Bulldogs with 10 kills. Willey, who will play next year at Liberty University, added eight kills and 13 assists.

Streets paced Hempstead with 11 kills, but committed 10 hitting errors.