Saints turn some tables on Solon

CEDAR RAPIDS -- First time: Scared.Second time: Steely.Class 4A 10th-ranked Cedar Rapids Xavier reversed a lopsided pool-play loss, knocking off No. 3 Solon, 21-18, 13-21, 15-10, to win the championship of the Warrior Invitational volleyball tournament Saturday at Cedar Rapids Washington."I think when we played them the first time, (a 21-13, 21-11 defeat in the preliminary session), we were afraid of their name," said Xavier Coach Barb Brunow. "They were Solon and they had a great record last year."When they met again with the title on the line, the level of awe had decreased substantially.As a result, the Saints (6-1) won the tournament for the second time in three years. Solon was the 2011 champion."We played to our potential (in the finals)," said Xavier setter Sarah Homan. "Solon's a really good team. To beat them, I don't know how to descibe it. We've worked really hard."The decisive set was tied at 8-apiece before the Saints made the winning push. Audrey Richards hammered three kills as Xavier closed with a 7-2 run.Kayla Torson's block made it 14-10, then -- after Solon called timeout -- Halle Heying's ace made winners of the Saints.Xavier strolled through the first two rounds of bracket play. The Saints swept Oskaloosa, 21-13, 21-17, in the quarterfinals, then handled 5A No. 10 Johnston, 21-19, 21-12, in the semis.Solon (7-1) was forced to three sets by Washington in the semifinals, outlasting the Warriors, 23-21, 6-21, 15-7.The Spartans are becoming acquainted with interim coach Peter Gustin, who was hired shortly after Kurt Trout resigned on the first day of practice."We learned a lot along the way today," Gustin said. "But we got a little tired, and in the third game, we just didn't have enough push."Kelsey Hinrichs and Jordan Smith collected 12 kills apiece for the Spartans. Emma Rickels distributed 32 assists.Richards and Kasey VandenBosch paced Xavier with six kills each. Homan had 21 assists.

WARRIOR INVITATIONAL

At Cedar Rapids Washington

Pool A -- 1. C.R. Xavier 2-1, 2. Dyersville Beckman 2-1, 3. Linn-Mar 2-1.

Pool B -- 1. Solon 3-0, 2. Dubuque Senior 0-3, 3. North Fayette 0-3.

Pool C -- 1. C.R. Washington 3-0, 2. Marion 2-1, 3. C.R. Jefferson 0-3.

Pool D -- 1. Johnston 2-1, 2. Oskaloosa 1-2, 3. Davenport Central 1-2.

Pool ResultsSolon def. Linn-Mar, 21-15, 21-18Beckman def. Dubuque Senior, 21-11, 17-21, 15-12Linn-Mar def. North Fayette, 21-7, 21-15Solon def. C.R. Xavier, 21-13, 21-11C.R. Xavier def. Dubuque Senior, 21-11, 21-19C.R. Xavier def. North Fayette, 21-6, 21-11Solon def. Beckman, 21-11, 21-12Linn-Mar def. Dubuque Senior, 21-15, 19-21, 15-13Beckman def. North Fayette, 21-15, 21-11C.R. Washington def. Davenport Central, 21-16, 21-9Johnston def. Marion, 21-14, 21-14C.R. Washington def. Oskaloosa, 24-22, 21-7Davenport Central def. C.R. Jefferson, 21-11, 15-21, 15-12Marion def. Oskaloosa, 21-14, 23-21Johnston def. C.R. Jefferson, 21-14, 21-9Oskaloosa def. C.R. Jefferson, 21-11, 21-14Marion def. Davenport Central, 21-14, 21-11C.R. Washington def. Johnston, 21-13, 21-17

Consolation SemifinalsBeckman def. Davenport Central, 21-7, 22-20C.R. Jefferson def. North Fayette, 17-21, 22-20, 15-9

Consolation FinalBeckman def. C.R. Jefferson, 21-8, 21-9

QuarterfinalsC.R. Xavier def. Oskaloosa, 21-13, 21-17Johnston def. Linn-Mar, 21-17, 21-11Solon def. Marion, 21-15, 26-24C.R. Washington def. Dubuque Senior, 21-13, 18-21, 15-11

SemifinalsC.R. Xavier def. Johnston, 21-19, 21-12Solon def. C.R. Washington, 23-21, 6-21, 15-7

ChampionshipC.R. Xavier def. Solon, 21-18, 13-21, 15-10