Dallas Center-Grimes ends state volleyball tourney run

CEDAR RAPIDS, Ia. — Dallas Center-Grimes' seniors set a volleyball goal for themselves when they were in elementary school.

Hannah Ashley looked up at a state tournament banner in the gym back then. The Fillies hadn't been to state since 2009.

Now they have a banner of their own.

The Fillies ended their Class 4A state tournament run Thursday in Cedar Rapids Xavier's 25-16, 12-25, 23-25, 21-25 semifinal victory at the U.S. Cellular Center.

"This has been six years in the making," Ashley said. "I remember looking up at a state tournament banner with me and Abby (Greiman) and Dakota (Miles) and saying, 'We're going to make it there our senior year.'"

They did just that.

The senior class — Greiman, Miles, Ashley and Tiffany Denger — added a third banner to the school's collection. Dallas Center-Grimes first reached state in 2000.

Katelyn Knudsen led DCG (36-5) with 16 kills and 21 digs. Miles had 20 digs. Kamryn O'Brien led the Fillies with 20 assists.

"It means so much that we made it here," Ashley said.

Xavier (29-8) advanced to Friday's 12:15 p.m. championship vs. Dubuque Wahlert.

Eve Magill led Xavier with 23 kills. Emily Jasper had 11, Olivia Richards 10. Xavier compiled a 57-39 advantage in kills.

Dallas Center-Grimes notched a 25-16 win in the opening set.

"We really rocked them back," Ashley said.

Xavier rallied, taking the next three sets.

"I think that showed us to take nothing for granted," Xavier's Keera Ball said.

Wahlert has won the last two state championships. Xavier hopes to end that run.

"We're both amazing teams," Magill said. "We've played each other numerous times."

Dallas Center-Grimes will return three starters for next season: Knudsen, O'Brien and Haylee Hidlebaugh.

The Fillies accomplished their state tournament goal through dedication.

"We were working hard when no one was watching," Ashley said

Dubuque Wahlert def. Sergeant Bluff-Luton 18-25, 25-19, 25-21, 25-15

Aliyah Carter pounded 24 kills and Wahlert earned a chance to add to its record state championship total.

Wahlert (25-12) has won 19 state championships.

Carter helped her team compile a 52-42 kill advantage.

Madison Harms led Sergeant Bluff-Luton with 12 kills. The team finished 35-7.