Orabs' long-awaited return to state memorable

CEDAR RAPIDS - The Orange and Black are back, and they're making it memorable in case they don't return for another 33 years.Sheldon qualified for the IGHSAU state tournament for the first time since 1976 and scored an impressive, 23-25, 25-19, 25-19, 25-14 Class 2A quarterfinal win over Dike-New Hartford last night at the U.S. Cellular Center.Sheldon senior Elizabeth Ihnen couldn't stop smiling after the win.“We really pulled together as a team,” Ihnen said. “It just shows the unity we have and the love we have for the game the way we came back after that first one.”Sheldon rebounded after dropping the first game. The Orabs (37-2) manufactured streaks to grasp control and held it with a vice-like grip. They produced runs of 10-3, 14-4 and 14-5 in their wins.“Volleyball is a game of momentum,” Ihnen said. “If you can get the momentum and keep it on your side good things are going to happen.”Ihnen led a balanced attack with 21 kills. Twin sister, Rachel, added 10, and Kellie Goedken had 17. Alexis Bart led the Orabs with 17 digs and Shelby Vogel had a whopping 52 assists.“We have six solid hitters and we can spread it around and try to keep the block guessing. It worked tonight,” Sheldon Coach Michele Hoogers said. “Liz took over on the net. Whenever she was on the front, we went to her quite often.”A large contingent of Orab fans were loud and raucous, supporting their team on like they have all season.“Not just for ourselves but for our community,” Ihnen said. “To see the stands full of orange and black was just so special. I'm glad we were able to share that with them.”Those fans get to see them in the semifinals against Western Christian (38-9) tonight at 6.Hannah Willms had a class-high 26 kills to lead Dike-New Hartford (41-4).

WAPSIE VALLEY 3, CAMANCHE 0 - Happy birthday, Eryca Hingtgen.The Wapsie Valley senior celebrated her 18th birthday with 15 kills, six blocks and two aces, leading the Warriors to a 25-18, 25-15, 25-18, sweep.Wapsie Valley won its first state match since winning consecutive 1A titles in 2006 and 2007. The Warriors are making its first appearance in 2A against a loaded field.“I think we can pull it off just like anybody else,” Hingtgen said. “We need to keep working hard.”Carly Wehling added 12 kills, and Aarika Wittenburg dished out 37 assists for Wapsie Valley (36-2).The Warriors take on Mount Vernon (41-1) in a semifinal match tonight at 7:15.Chelsea Moore and Ashtyn Dixon had eight kills apiece, and Tiana Bark had 21 assists to lead Camanche (41-4), which reached its first state tournament since 1986.

WESTERN CHRISTIAN 3, IKM-MANNING 0 - The 3-time defending state champions overcame a slow start for a 25-15, 25-15, 25-16 win.The Wolfpack (38-9) closed out the first game with a 12-2 run and never looked back.“We were kind of getting the jitters out that first game,” Wolfpack senior libero Jocelyn Bousema said. “Once we got a service run going we relaxed a little more. We had more fun.”Abby Horstman led Western Christian with 11 kills, and Kayla Gesink added 30 assists.Ashley Hagedorn had seven kills to lead IKM-Manning (33-6).