Class 5A: Dowling completes upset of No. 1 Ankeny in five sets

CEDAR RAPIDS – West Des Moines Dowling knew what it was up against headed into its state tournament opening-round match against Class 5A's No. 1 team, Ankeny at the U.S. Cellular Center.

Despite a five-set upset win on Sept. 10, the Maroons knew it would take something special to get the program's first win at the state tournament.

Some 'Dowling magic' perhaps?

'I mean, I say so,' said Dowling setter Jessi Henter, after the Maroons completed the upset in five sets over the Hawkettes on Tuesday, 25-17, 11-25, 25-19, 18-25, 18-16. 'Dowling just has this inspiration with it. (We're) one of the smallest schools in 5A, and we come out and compete.'

The Maroons weathered a back-and-forth match that didn't see a back-to-back set winner.

Through the white-knuckle sets and constant shifts in mood and momentum, the consistent voice of Coach Mary Beth Wiskus called from the sidelines for the girls to stick together.

'I just kept telling them it was all in their hands,' Wiskus said. 'We have so much talent right in the palm of our hands, and they just needed to do it. Just do their job, do their work and trust each other.

'The bonds we have with each other are much stronger than any play that can happen on the floor. That's what really gets us through the tough points and the roller coaster rides.'

The Maroon players were giddy after the match, shedding tears of joy after a fifth set that saw a five-point comeback lead to the decisive set win.

Dowling showed resiliency in the comeback, but Henter admitted doubt crept into the players' minds while trailing 13-8.

'I felt a little bit of defeat. I mean, (we've) lost every time in the first round at state, so I wasn't sure if we were going to be able to pull it off,' Henter said. 'But I knew when we got that run we were going. We had the heart to do it.'

The upset still hasn't sunk in yet for Dowling, which will face Urbandale  in the semifinals on Thursday.

Wiskus used the word 'surreal' to describe the day.

'I still feel like I'm in a dream right now, to be honest,' Wiskus said. 'I don't feel like it's an emotional roller coaster for me. I feel like it's a challenge to get the most out of the girls every single point. The girls just need to believe in themselves, because once they believe in themselves, the sky's the limit.'