Ankeny Christian is a step away from its third straight 1A state volleyball championship after getting past Riverside

CORALVILLE — What’s that saying?

“If you can’t hang with the Big Dawgs ... ”

Ankeny Christian can get off the proverbial porch whenever, however it likes. The Eagles could more than hang.

Led by its big-time, small-school setter, top-ranked Ankeny Christian — the two-time defending Class 1A state champion — swept No. 4 Oakland Riverside, 25-12, 25-21, 25-18, in a 1A semifinal at the state volleyball tournament Wednesday night at Xtream Arena.

“It’s crazy to think that it’s almost over,” said Katie Quick, that dynamic senior setter. “We hope to finish it off the right way.”

ACA (39-5) goes for its third consecutive title at 7 p.m. Thursday, against No. 6 Conrad BCLUW (33-10).

A Drake University commit, Quick posted 13 kills and 25 assists. She is the state leader in aces with 119, and has held that title in each of her four years (she has served 482 winners in her career).

“We work on our serving — serving and passing — 30 minutes a day,” Quick said. “I take my time back there and concentrate on making good contact.”

Michele Quick, Katie’s mother and coach, called her daughter “a very unique athlete. For better or worse, she’s very dialed in. Everything has to be very precise for her.”

Added teammate Carley Craighead: “Katie is so aggressive. She never lets up. You can tell she’s really into it.”

Katie had only one ace Wednesday, but the Eagles had 12 of them. They ran away from a 14-14 tie in Game 2, then stormed back from a 15-14 deficit in the finale.

Riverside, which sported uniforms that read BIG DAWGS on the back, finished 39-4.

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Photos: Ankeny Christian vs. Oakland Riverside in Class 1A state volleyball semifinals

Win or lose, Thursday will mark the final match that Katie Quick plays for her mother.

“I try to avoid the thought as much as possible,” Michele said. “It hits me harder when I’m off and alone. The team talks about finishing strong, and that’s what we want to do (Thursday).”

Craighead, Macey Nehring and Anna Weathers each added eight kills for ACA.

Sophia Taylor collected seven kills to lead Riverside.

Ankeny Christian 3, Oakland Riverside 0

(25-12, 25-21, 25-18)

Class 1A State Semifinal, at Coralville

Serving: Riverside 50-53 (.943), ACA 69-73 (.945)

Aces: Riverside 2 (Ashley Kelley, Sophia Fenner), ACA 12 (Carley Craighead, Anna Weathers 3)

Kills: Riverside 30 (Sophia Taylor 7), ACA 41 (Katie Quick 13)

Assists: Riverside 26 (Bentley Rone 14), ACA 38 (Quick 25)

Blocks: Riverside 6 (Madison Kelley 3.5), ACA 4 (Craighead 1.5)

Digs: Riverside 49 (three with 10), ACA 56 (Katelyn Weathers 13)

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com