Uncharted territory: Humboldt makes its first state-tournament semifinal

CORALVILLE — Kara Waldorf called it “a setter’s dream.”

“We have a lot of options in our front row,” the Humboldt High School volleyball coach said. “If it’s not working with someone, it’s working with someone else.”

And if it’s working with everybody, that’s a scary proposition.

Fifth-ranked Humboldt struck from all angles and swept No. 4 Cherokee, 25-16, 25-15, 25-21, in a Class 3A quarterfinal at the state volleyball tournament Tuesday afternoon at Xtream Arena.

The Wildcats (32-6) are making only their second state-tournament trip, and are in the semifinals for the first time.

“This is really exciting,” Kendall Works said. “Our team is really special. We want to see how far we can go.”

Up next is No. 1 Western Christian (38-9) at 2 p.m. Wednesday.

“We lost to them in a regional final last year,” Mia Schluter said. “We think we have a chance if we play like we did today, play with a lot of energy and terminate the ball.”

Humboldt hit at a mega-efficient rate (.469) in the first two sets, and never really cooled off.

Adelynn Goodall led the Wildcats with 14 kills. Schluter and Works added 12 apiece, with Works hitting at a .588 rate.

“What really helped is that (setter) Addie (Waldorf) was moving it around really well,” Works said. “That helped us (draw) single blocks, and we were able to take shots.”

Cherokee closed at 29-8. The Braves stayed close in the third set, and were tied as late as 16-16 before Humboldt ultimately closed it out.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com