Waverly Shell-Rock edges Union

By Mike Condon, Correspondent

CEDAR RAPIDS -- The little things often make the difference in a close volleyball match. Doing those little things has Waverly-Shell Rock one win away from a Class 3A championship.

The Go-Hawks controlled just enough of the play at the net and rode 27 kills from senior Morgan Kuhrt to oust a pesky Union squad, 25-21, 25-21, 25-23 in a 3A state semfinal match Friday afternoon at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena.

The Go-Hawks (47-3), state champions in 2009 and a semifinalist last year, will take on Sioux City Heelan for the title Saturday at 1 p.m. Union, which also lost to WSR in last year's tournament, finishes at 33-8.

When things got tight, the Go-Hawks turned to Kuhrt, who has committed to Iowa State. Veteran WSR Coach Eavon Woodin said there isn't much of a secret who her team turns two.

"We know we have to get Morgan the ball about two of every three times we attack," she said. "She can do it all and do it all well."

All three games were tight throughout. WSR did start fast in Game 1, but Union, behind Sam Barz and Payton Hilton, quickly came back. In the end, each game was decided by defense, according to Woodin.

"It all goes back to blocking and defense," Woodin said. "We just seemed to make the plays when we needed to.

"Union was a tough team to play because they have four or five girls who are good hitters," she added. "We had to be ready for all of them."

Union Coach Brian Jesse was proud of the effort given by his team in defeat.

"We had a much better showing this time around against them," he said. "They just had a few more digs and a few more blocks. We gave ourselves a chance to win, but it just wasn't quite enough today."

Woodin expects her team to be loose for the title showdown with Heelan.

"They've been there and so have we," she said. "I expect us to go out there and give it our best effort."

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