Gehlen rebounds from slow start to drop East Union

CEDAR RAPIDS - The weight of great expectations can be tough to carry.

Those high expectations slowed down second-ranked LeMars Gehlen, but it wasn't enough to stop them.

The Jays overcame a challenge from East Union before regrouping and claiming a 21-25, 25-12. 25-18, 25-10 victory in the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union Class 1A quarterfinals Thursday at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena.

Gehlen (33-1) reached the semifinals for the second straight year, losing to Tripoli in five sets last year. They had to overcome nerves and a scrappy East Union team to advance this time.

“We have a little bit of pressure, because last year is what we're known for now,” Langel said. “We want to do big things this year so that's also nerve-racking for us.

“Once we get out there and play our game the nerves go away, and we all click as a team.”

The Eagles (32-5) clicked a little better at the start, grabbing the opening game that was a seesaw affair until they won five of six points to break open a 17-17 tie.

“For the longest time it seemed like for the longest time we were just trading points,” Meyer said. “It concerned us because the points they were getting a lot of times were unforced errors on our part."

Then the tide turned and Gehlen switched from committing the errors to forcing them more often. The Jays displayed toughness and perseverance in rebounding to win three straight. He shared his praise with the girls immediately after the game for the win and overcoming other elements, including the crowd and arena.

“I told them right away I was really proud of them that they responded so well,” said Meyer, who has tried to shield his team from talk of a possible rematch against Tripoli in the finals. “People don't realize the ‘Wow' factor I call it.

“Sometimes I think that can effect kids a bit.”

It helped to match the intensity of their opponent and maintain the pressure.

“We brought more energy,” Langel said. “We matched their energy and got higher, and they got down a little bit.”

Gehlen closed Game 2, winning the final seven points and 10 of the last 11. They also closed strong in the third, notching eight of the last 10 points. Gehlen controlled the final game and building a 20-7 lead. After the opening game, the Jays increased the tempo to get Langel and Steph Rohe involved more.

Rohe, an all-tournament selection last year, finished with 15 kills to lead the Jays. Langel added 12, matching Lisa Gunter with a team-high four aces. Amber Timmins had 36 assists.

“We talked about tightening up our ball control, so we can get our swings going a little better,” Meyer said. “When we get Steph and Katelin going on the antennae, that puts a lot of pressure on teams.

“That's a lot of area you have to cover and Amber our setter does a pretty good job of getting it to both the sticks.”

Nerves washed away as Langel slammed a spike for the game-ending point and put them a win away from the championship match.

“Individually, I just tried to pick my team up all the time,” Langel said. “That last point was just amazing because now we're going on to the semifinals.”

Amber Friend had 11 kills and two aces and Rochelle Means had 22 assists to lead East Union.

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