Warrior spikers face tough rematch at districts

COUNCIL BLUFFS — Sometimes things just seem to work themselves out.

After struggling all season with sickness, injuries and other various setbacks, the Indian Hills volleyball team is finally healthy — well kind of.

“Both Kersten Phillips and Lizzy White aren’t feeling well,” said Warrior head coach Terry Carlson. “But they’re both playing through it, this is important to them.”

The reason it’s important is simple — a shot at the national tournament.

The Indian Hills Warrior volleyball team is on the brink of breaking into the national tournament for the first time since 2005, after beating Kaskaskia in the opening round of the district tournament in Council Bluffs Friday afternoon.

Kaskaskia was able to force the Warriors into five games by winning the opening game 27-25 and game four 25-23. The Warriors were able to win games two, three, and most importantly, game five by scores of 25-21, 25-19, and 17-15. Led by Kersten Phillips’ 18-20 serving and three of the teams five aces. Patricia Souza added a team high 20 kills on 41-48 hitting in match one.

“We didn’t maintain our focus and let them back in the game when we were up,” said coach Carlson. “When we aren’t focused we make silly mistakes.”

The Warriors were able to maintain their focus in match two against second-seeded John A. Logan College, who the Warrior spikers made quick work of, by sweeping them 25-16, 25-17, and 25-20.

Indian Hills (15-11) was led by Tahler Johnston, who smashed the ball, going 18-21 hitting with a team high nine kills. Serving the Warriors only managed two aces in the sweep but went an impressive 53-57 as a team in the serving department.

The loss moves John A. Logan to the losers bracket and advances IHCC into a familiar contest.

Up next, another test of strength for the Warrior spikers, the number one seed and fifth-ranked Iowa Western Reivers (38-4).

They met late in October at the Hellyer Student Life Center, at the time the Reivers were the sixth-ranked team and were fighting the Warriors for the conference title. The Reivers were able to down the Warriors in four games and seal the crown.

“We wanted our chance against Iowa Western,” said Carlson.

This time around, even more is at stake for the Indian Hills team.

A Warrior win against Iowa Western means they will then play for the district championship on Sunday at 1 p.m., where the Warriors would have to be beaten twice in the double-elimination format. The winner of the championship match will advance to the national tournament.

In 2004, Carlson and the Warriors finished third at the national tournament, and in 2005 the Warrior squad earned a fifth-place finish. The Warriors will take the court, along with the Reivers, today at 2 p.m.

IHCC 25-25-25-23-17

Kaskaskia 27-19-21-25-15

Indian Hills Statistics

Serving — Kersten Phillips 18-20, Taylor Woebbeking 14-14. Team — 76-84 .

Aces — Phillips 3, Woebbeking 2. Team — 5.

Hitting — Patricia Souza 41-48-20, Tahler Johnston 34-37 Phillips- 28-30 Team — 145-161

Kills — Souza 20, Phillips 13, Johnston 12. Team — 20.

Setting — Woebbeking 51. Team — 51.

Blocks — Wynter Davis 7, Phillips 3. Team — 15.

Digs — Timmi Lueck 35, Lizzy White 28. Team — 106

Indian Hills- 25-25-25

John A. Logan- 16-17-20

Indian Hills Statistics

Serving — White 13-13, Woebbeking 6-6, Gabby Zellar 3-3. Team — 53-57

Aces- Woebbeking 1, Zellar 1 Team — 2

Hitting — Johnston 18-21, Souza 18-19, Phillips 13-14 Team- 69-80.

Kills — Johnston 9, Souza 5, Phillips 5. Team — 29.

Setting — Woebbeking 24,. Team — 24.

Blocks — Davis 5. Team — 8.

Digs — Lueck 19, White 10. Team — 49.