‘Truly a dream team:’ Northwest sweeps its way to the Class 5A final

CORALVILLE — Talent is one thing. And with four Division-I commits, Waukee Northwest certainly has it.

But the thing that Coach Jodi Vogt appreciates most about this squad resides outside of raw ability.

“They’re so disciplined,” Vogt said. “We never have to get them focused or ready. They just are.

“They truly are a dream team.”

Top-ranked Northwest motored through the first two sets, then raced back from a 9-1 deficit in Game 3 to sweep No. 6 Ankeny, 25-12, 25-17, 25-20, in a Class 5A semifinal at the state volleyball tournament Wednesday morning at Xtream Arena.

“You get behind like that, and the energy needs to stay high,” junior Leah Janulewicz said. “You’re not going to get it all back at once; you have to go point by point until you get to 25.”

Northwest (37-1) advances to the 5A state final for the third consecutive year. The Wolves will face No. 2 Ankeny Centennial (34-5) for the championship at 10 a.m. Thursday.

“Last year, we fell short (to Pleasant Valley, after winning the 2023 title),” Janulewicz said. “We’ll be ready to go.”

The Wolves certainly were ready Wednesday. They posted a .565 kill efficiency (15 kills vs. two errors in 23 swings) in the first set, and also served four aces and collected four blocks.

“That was a really good set for us,” setter Avery Vogt said. “Everything we did, worked.

“But we knew they weren’t going to give up.”

Ankeny (28-9) jumped in front 9-1 in the third, but it didn’t last long. Logan Vogt smacked five of her match-high 19 kills in a 6-1 run that got the Wolves back in it at 10-7.

Avery Cordes’ ace tied it at 13-all, then Piper Ladwig’s kill put Northwest in front for good, 15-14.

Ladwig added 10 kills for the Wolves, who owned a 50-27 advantage in the category. Avery Vogt distributed 38 assists.

Hailey Wiederin led Ankeny with seven kills.

Both teams started only one senior.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com