Guardian Angels Central Catholic is headed to the State Tournament for the 7th year in a row after defeating Cedar Bluffs 3-0 in the D1-2 District Final at North Bend Thursday night.
The Bluejays won set one 25-22, set two 26-24, and set three 25-23.
Maddie Knobbe led GACC with 20 kills while Riley Throener totaled 7. Kali Stratman added 12 digs and 32 set assists while Ally Plagge and Lisa Gatzemeyer notched 8 and 7 digs, respectively.
The Bluejays won in three set, but had to battle back after being down big.
"When you're down 12-4 and you take your last timeout it's sad to say, but we've been in that situation before just a couple weeks ago. And we found a way a couple weeks ago to comeback and win. And so our schedule has really prepared us to be tough, and we've been challenged a lot mentally and physically in our schedule. And so it shows in games like that our kids don't give up, and it was a great comeback for them." Head Coach Kate Hagemann said.
Hagemann says her team didn't play their best match, but good enough to win.
"Yeah I was really happy for the girls that we found a way to win. Honestly I didn't feel like we ever really relaxed. I never felt like we got in much of a rhythm. We didn't pass the ball very well, which didn't allow us to be very good at any of the other skills, but we always battled, and we found a way to win every set."
Hagemann's girls are 17 and 10.
"Well we took a few lumps during the season, and we had some ups and downs. Once we got to Sub-District play I said you guys are ready for these games, and if we play like we did towards the end of the regular season and into the conference, there's no reason that we can't continue to be successful."
Guardian Angels Central Catholic and 21-13 Lutheran High Northeast meet for the 3rd time this season at State on Thursday.
The Eagles won both regular season matchups, and Hagemann says LHNE is a quality team.
"Both times we felt like if we just would of played a little better we would of been right there with them so they're a good team, they're extremely well coached, they're going to pass the ball very well, they're going to put pressure on you with their serve, and they're going to try and be aggressive."
The Eagles downed the Bluejays 2-0 on September 1st at the Northeast Nebraska Classic, and 2-1 on October 6th at the Wisner-Pilger Triangular.
LHNE had the upper hand the first two matches of the season, but this is state and it's a whole new ball game.
I fully expect GACC to play well and give the Eagles all they can handle.
It's tough to beat a team three times in one season, and I don't know if the Bluejays will lose to LHNE three times.
So the third time could be the charm for GACC, but I expect this match to be close and tightly contested.
I wouldn't be surprised if it went five sets. I feel both of these teams are pretty solid.
Knobbe needs to come up big for the Bluejays, and GACC needs to remain focused and determined like they have lately.
The field is tough, but the Bluejays are battle tested, and I think GACC has a chance to make another state run.
I think the Bluejays are fully capable of playing for a state championship on Saturday, but GACC just has to take things one match at a time.
First serve is set for 7:30 p.m. at Lincoln East, and the match will be aired on 107.9 the Bull.
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