Waukee Northwest beats Ankeny Centennial this time to advance to 5A state volleyball final

CORALVILLE — Katrina Pelds could not restrain her emotions.

As she entered the interview area after playing a key role in Waukee Northwest’s five-set win over rival Ankeny Centennial in the Class 5A state volleyball semifinals, the 6-foot senior was still hugging every teammate she could find.

“We've seen them twice this year and lost both times,” Pelds said. “We fought for every point this time and we really wanted it.

“That is why you saw so many tears. They were tears of joy.”

The epic 24-26, 25-23, 11-25, 25-20, 15-11 victory put the No. 3 Wolves (26-9) into the title match in just their third year as a school. They will meet No. 1 West Des Moines Dowling, which advanced with a three-set sweep over Pleasant Valley, for the crown at 10 a.m. on Thursday.

No. 2 Centennial closes its season at 31-7.

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State volleyball photos: Waukee Northwest vs. Ankeny Centennial

Northwest fell to Pleasant Valley in the quarterfinals last year in its first state appearance. Now the Wolves are one win from a championship.

In a match that went back and forth, Northwest Coach Jodi Vogt said the difference was more mental than physical.

“We told the girls it always comes down to mindset,” she said. “You are going to make errors and when you do you move on to the next point. The next phase is what is going to get you going again.”

The rivalry between the schools is one of respect and it showed throughout the nearly two-hour match.

“I love playing against Centennial because the level of the play in the gym is so fun,” Vogt said. “It's fun to coach. It's fun to play. We knew it would be a dogfight and it was.

“I was so excited to see all the girls after the match, to see the looks on their faces. They fought for every single point. I just love how much they love to play.”

And they will play on, meeting Dowling for a fourth time. They are 1-2 against the Maroons.

“We're not done,” Pelds said. “Dowling better be ready, because we're coming back (Thursday) looking for more.”

Pelds led the Northwest offense with 15 kills. Chloe Jones added 11. Delaney Miller paced the Jaguars with 16 kills. Jaeden Pratt finished with 15.