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BCLUW ousts Janesville, advances to first state volleyball championship match
Comets made their state debut last year, now take on No. 1 Ankeny Christian for the title
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CORALVILLE — Being an underdog is nothing new this week for BCLUW.
On Thursday, the Comets will be in the role again.
Coach Megan Yantis’ team came into the Class 1A state volleyball tournament as the No. 6 seed. It took out No. 3 Fort Madison Holy Trinity in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.
Wednesday night, it was actually the higher seed in the semifinals and took care of business, downing No. 7 Janesville 25-17, 25-23, 25-19 at Xtream Arena.
“It's just incredible,” Yantis said of her team’s play against Janesville. “My girls just went out and played so amazing. We've had an amazing couple of days down here.”
BCLUW will take a 33-10 mark into the final where top-ranked Ankeny Christian awaits. The Eagles advanced with a straight-set win over Oakland Riverside.
“It was really making sure that we just stayed together as a team no matter what happened,” Yantis said.
The Comets made their state tournament debut last year, losing in the semifinals. Now they are taking it one step further in 2024.
After nine years as an assistant, Yantis is in her first year as the head coach.
“I feel like we have really built up the program,” she said. “These past couple of years, we have found a groove and it is just awesome for the current and future players.”
In Wednesday’s match, Janesville closed the gap in all three sets but BCLUW had the answer when it was needed.
“I felt like we kept our composure when things got tight,” Yantis said. “That has been a quality of this team all season.”
Grace Farnsworth led the Comets with 15 kills. Hayden Anderson led Janesville (25-17) with nine.
BCLUW has one small edge entering the final. The Comets were the only 1A school to take a set from Ankeny Christian this season.
“We got one from them at the Dunkerton tournament,” Yantis said. “We played a good set and we were confident when we played them. I feel like (the title match) can be anybody’s ballgame.”
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