Des Moines Christian ends Union’s volleyball season of great progress

CORALVILLE — Yes, this was the end of the line for the Union Knights.

But there was much less to mourn than to celebrate.

Go from sub-.500 to the state tournament in one year, that’s quite an accomplishment.

“It was a great season,” Union Community Coach Brian Jesse said. “A school record for wins, back to the state tournament ... we kept plugging away, even today.”

Top-ranked Des Moines Christian spotted the No. 8 Knights the first set, then look over late in Game 2 to win the Class 3A quarterfinal, 26-28, 25-23, 25-21, 25-17, at the state volleyball tournament Tuesday morning at Xtream Arena.

Junior Gabby Lombardi hammered 24 kills from a variety of places, senior sister Olivia Lombardi was good for 19 digs, and the Lions (46-5) won their first match in state-tournament competition.

They’ll face No. 4 Sioux Center (31-3) in a semifinal at 2 p.m. Wednesday. Sioux Center swept No. 5 West Liberty.

“This feels good. We’re super-blessed to be here,” Gabby Lombardi said. “I’m grateful to be on this team, grateful to have so many teammates I can trust.”

The Lions prevailed despite 29 kills from Union senior Aubrey Gates.

“She was amazing, incredible,” Lombardi said.

Led by Gates, the Knights (42-10) were the better team from midway through the first set until late in the second. Trailing 18-12 in the opener, they hustled back to tie the set at 20-20, then 23-23.

Union erased two set points, took a 26-25 lead on Sydney Schmuecker’s kill, then won it on a DMC attack error.

The Knights led Game 2 before the Lions grabbed the momentum.

Lombardi had two kills and a block in a five-point run to take a 17-15 advantage. Union tied it twice, the last time at 23-23, but ended the set with a pair of errors.

“They battled every single point. They didn’t let anything hit the floor,” Gates said. “I have to admit, we got tired. We used a lot of energy.”

Added Union’s Gracie Kilma, “It was a fight for every point. Good defense against good defense, good offense against good offense.”

The difference, Jesse said, was Olivia Lombardi, the Lions’ libero.

“She’s a heck of a player. She was spot-on in serve-receive, pretty darn good on defense,” Jesse said.

“I knew she was good. She was better than good.”

Union was 20-23 last season and more than doubled its win output this season.

“We buckled down over the summer,” Jesse said. “Our seniors became great leaders.”

Gates got her 29 kills (against 13 errors) on 78 swings. Avery Knoop collected 43 assists.

Hadley Hardersen had 13 kills and 20 assists for Des Moines Christian.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com