West Des Moines Valley makes it an all-CIML final four in Class 5A

CORALVILLE — The Valley Tigers proudly wear a CIML logo on their volleyball jerseys.

As in every other sport, it’s the mark of excellence.

“It is a TOUGH league, let me tell you,” Kaelynn Wieland said. “I honestly love it, all the tough competition.”

In Class 5A, “all that tough competition” is all that’s left.

Seventh-ranked Valley overcame a bombardment in the first set and a blown lead in the third to outlast No. 3 Pleasant Valley in five (13-25, 25-21, 23-25, 25-20, 15-13) in a 5A quarterfinal at the state volleyball tournament Monday afternoon at Xtream Arena.

“It’s all about perseverance,” Thia Raridon said. “Playing for each other.”

If you have CIML fatigue, look away, because all four of the 5A semifinals are from suburban Des Moines.

Valley (28-12) takes on No. 2 Ankeny Centennial (33-5) in one of them at 10:25 Wednesday morning; No. 1 Waukee Northwest (36-1) faces No. 6 Ankeny (28-8) in the other at 10.

Last year’s champion, Pleasant Valley retired at 29-6. The Spartans, twice, appeared poised to win this one. But neither time did the Tigers buckle.

Like Raridon said ... perseverance.

PV rolled through the first set, but Valley quickly righted its ship, scoring the first four points in Game 2 and maintaining the lead most of the way.

After the Spartans scored the final four points to erase a 23-21 deficit in Game 3, Valley claimed the final two sets.

The Tigers led, 10-6 in the finale, then PV scored four straight to draw even. Valley scored four in a row for a 14-10 lead, then Ryan Connolly’s kill ended it after the Spartans closed within 14-13.

Raridon and Brynn Cibula led Valley with 14 kills apiece. Wieland and Connolly added 10 each.

Isabelle Kremer paced PV with 23 kills.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com