Regional Semifinal – Recap of Waukee vs Indianola
Heading into this bout, Waukee was the favorite to come out on top. Indianola had their work cut out for them from the start. Waukee (27-14) had their big offensive weapons in Haley Bush (Senior), Layanna Green (Sophomore), Megan Severson (Senior), and Kate…
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Continue ReadingHeading into this bout, Waukee was the favorite to come out on top. Indianola had their work cut out for them from the start. Waukee (27-14) had their big offensive weapons in Haley Bush (Senior), Layanna Green (Sophomore), Megan Severson (Senior), and Kate Nelson (Junior). While Indianola (29 – 14) brought some artillery of their own along with some young talent in Anna Marveli (Junior) Mary McGinnis (Senior) Emma Bishop (Senior), and Lauren Blake (Freshman).
Game 1
At the beginning of game 1 both teams were serve receiving at a high clip and running offense at will. Both teams were able to pick defense apart and create scoring opportunities for themselves. But each team was plagued with serving and hitting errors. Waukee jumped out to an early lead, but Indianola kept it within one or two for the beginning of the game. Waukee took advantage of a couple service errors by Indianola and a couple kills to pull ahead at 12-8. After a monster kill by Haley Bush down the line, Coach Halstead called a timeout at 9-14. After the timeout Indianola close the gap with two quick kills to 13-15. With tenacious defense and some timely errors by Indianola, Waukee jumped out to a 21-14 lead. Indianola battle but fell short in the first set with Waukee taking it 25-17.
Game 2
For the first time of the night Indianola too the lead at 2-1 but that was quickly erased by a hitting error. Both teams battled back and forth with kills by Kate Nelson, Layanna Green and Haley Bush. Indianola struggled to create offense with most of their points coming off of Waukee errors. Waukee pushed to a 9-6 lead and caused a timeout by Indianola. After the timeout Waukee added a pair of kills, blocks and service ace to go up 15-7. Indianola had to stop the bleeding with their second timeout at 7-16. Lauren Blake tried to help the Indians running her offense and scoring Aces from the service line. Layanna Green created more distance between the two teams with a couple service aces and a dig putting them up 20-12.
Indianola had a couple big time kills by Anna Marveli but it just wasn’t enough to mount a comeback in the second game as Waukee took the second game 25-12.
Game 3
Anna Marveli had a huge kill down the line to start off game three which was quickly answered with a kill by Kate Nelson. Layanna Green followed it up with a slide kill help push Waukee to a quick 5-1 lead. After a timeout, Indianola worked hard to close the gap and tied it at 9. Indianola battled back and forth tying the game at 17-17. Things were heating up with both teams banging away point for point. Finally, coach Halsted wanted to slow down the momentum and quiet the crowds a little with a timeout, as Waukee pulled in front 20-19 and it worked as Waukee missed their serve. Waukee jumped out to a 23-20 lead after 2 Layanna Green Aces. Waukee was too much for Indianola in the end winning the last game 25-20.
Both teams fought until the end trying to keep their state-run hopes alive unfortunately only one could move on. Indianola had great performances by Anna Marveli, and Lauren Blake. Waukee was led to victory by a solid backrow and offense from Kate Nelson, Haley Bush and Layanna Green. Waukee will face Urbandale next Monday, October 29 with a berth to the state tournament on the line.