Central Lyon ends Tripoli's reign

CEDAR RAPIDS -- They were six hours away from home, making their state-tournament debut against one of the greatest dynasties in Iowa volleyball history.And the Central Lyon Lions didn't shudder.

The fourth-ranked Lions spotted No. 7 Tripoli the first set, then proceeded to end the Panthers' five-year title run with a 22-25, 25-20, 25-23, 25-23 victory in a Class 1A quarterfinal Wednesday night at the U.S. Cellular Center.

"We tried not to be nervous, but we were," said Ashley Vande Stouwe. "We got it going a little too late in the first (set). We knew they would come out pushing, and we were ready for that."

Central Lyon (28-6) faces another Iowa Star Conference giant -- No. 2 Janesville -- in a semifinal at 6 p.m. Thursday.

"We'll enjoy this for an hour, maybe two," said libero Angel Rasmussen. "Then we'll get back to business."

Tripoli (24-15) was bidding to match the state's all-time record of consecutive championships -- six, by Dubuque Wahlert. The Panthers have won 11 titles, all since 1999. That might make this year's relatively early exit sound like a disappointment.Not so, said Tripoli Coach Will Baumann.

"That was another team, another time," he said. "The last couple years, getting to state was a relief more than an accomplishment. What this team did, this year ... I'm proud of them."

After the Panthers took the first set, Central Lyon controlled play most of the rest of the way.

The Lions led the second set 23-12 before the Panthers made a late rush. And they forced the Panthers to chase them in the third and fourth games.

Set point in Game 3 and match point in Game 4 were decided on errant Tripoli serves.

"We had a lot of errors. The serves were the most obvious ones, but there were a lot of smaller ones that added up," Baumann said. "It just wasn't our night."

Tripoli was victimized by 28 attack errors.

Yes, Central Lyon was making its state-volleyball debut, but it would be incorrect to call the Lions a bunch of wide-eyed rookies. Central Lyon is the reigning 1A state basketball champion.

Sarah Halse led the Lions with 16 kills. Vande Stouwe added 13.

"We knew they went with a single block a lot," Vande Stouwe said. "We really tried to go at that."Elizabeth Seehase and Toni Moeller had 13 kills apiece for the Panthers.