BCLUW reaches the 1A state volleyball semifinals for the second straight year with win over Holy Trinity

CORALVILLE — Twelve points turned the tide, and ultimately told the tale.

The last six of Game 1. The first six of Game 2.

Sixth-ranked Conrad BCLUW got them all, and went on to sweep No. 3 Fort Madison Holy Trinity, 25-22, 25-16, 25-19, in a Class 1A quarterfinal at the state volleyball tournament Tuesday night at Xtream Arena.

“When we came back at the end of the first set, I knew we could do it,” BCLUW’s Grace Farnsworth said. “We knew that if we went point by point, we’d eventually end up with a win.”

BCLUW advanced to the semifinal round for the second consecutive year. The Comets (32-10) will face No. 7 Janesville (25-17) at 6:25 Wednesday night in an Iowa Star Conference cross-divisional match.

The teams did not meet in the regular season.

Trailing 22-19 in the opening set, the Comets went to work. Sarah Gerber’s kill tied it, then Klayre Gallentine’s ace put BCLUW in front for good.

BCLUW built on that momentum, rocketed to a 6-0 lead in Game 2, and rolled from there.

Holy Trinity (29-13) led 9-6 in the third set, but BCLUW went on an 8-2 surge, and led the rest of the way.

Farnsworth led all attackers with 15 kills (and posted a team-high 17 digs); Olivia Peters added 13.

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Photos: BCLUW vs. Holy Trinity in Class 1A state volleyball quarterfinals

The Comets played the cleaner match, committing just 12 attack errors to the Crusaders’ 22.

Adalyn Kruse and Presley Myers paces Holy Trinity with 10 kills apiece.

Conrad BCLUW 3, Fort Madison Holy Trinity 0

(25-22, 25-16, 25-19)

Class 1A State Quarterfinal, at Coralville

Serving: BCLUW 67-73 (.918), Holy Trinity 56-59 (.949)

Aces: BCLUW 3 (Klayre Gallentine 2), Holy Trinity 4 (Elizabeth Griffin, Olivia Bendlage 2)

Kills: BCLUW 44 (Grace Farnsworth 15), Holy Trinity 31 (Adalyn Kruse, Presley Myers 10)

Assists: BCLUW 40 (Cassie Nason 34), Holy Trinity 29 (Anna Bendlage 26)

Blocks: BCLUW 7 (Virigian Kaisand 2.5), Holy Trinity 2 (Kruse, Myers)

Digs: BCLUW 61 (Farnsworth 17), Holy Trinity 79 (Teagan Snaadt 29)

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com