HLV wins South Iowa Cedar League

VICTOR — It’s been 21 long years, but HLV finally has another South Iowa Cedar League volleyball championship.

The Warriors were conference co-champs back in 2002. This marks their first outright title in program history.

HLV earned the 2023 crown by not losing a single set in all three of their tournament matches last week at Victor.

As champions of the league’s West Division with a 5-1 record, the Warriors earned the right to be one of the tournament’s first-round hosts Oct. 9, welcoming Montezuma and Iowa Valley to town.

The Braves kicked things off by eliminating the Tigers in straight sets 25-20, 27-25, 25-17. That led to a battle with the Warriors to see who would move on to the next round.

HLV, in three hard-fought sets, won 30-28, 26-24, 25-19.

Beating Monte gave the Warriors home-court advantage once again in Thursday’s Gold Quad bracket.

In best-of-three semifinal matches, HLV defeated Sigourney 25-17, 25-12, and Belle Plaine, regular season winners of the SICL East Division, toppled North Mahaska 12-25, 25-9,15-13.

That set up the tournament’s championship match between the Warriors and Lady Plainsmen, which HLV pulled out 25-23, 25-18, 25-16.

Ema Roberts had 17 kills, Mackenzie Kempf 14 and Hailey Jack 27 assists for HLV in the championship match. Kempf added a team-high 13 digs and Roberts, Jack and Addy Shaull contributed 39-for-39 service between them with three aces.

“Our setter did a nice job of finding our hitters and defensively we dug the ball really well,” praised coach Chezik, who noted it was a big help to her and the team when former HLV head coach Rod Cooling came on board to be her assistant after Kupka’s departure.

“I wasn’t sure at the time it was a good choice, but it sure turned out to be a rewarding experience,” Cooling said.

“I’m very proud of these girls for all they accomplished and how they never got down when their backs were against the wall.”

The Warriors started the year 0-11 before getting their first win Sept. 11 against BGM. They went 4-4 in their next eight matches and were 5-14 overall when things turned.

HLV won six matches in a row and 10 of their last 12, culminated by the conference championship.

Postseason play began Monday for local teams.

In Class 1A Region 7, lowa Valley played at WACO, and English Valleys hosted Hillcrest Academy.

Class 1A Region 5 pairings included HLV hosting BGM and Belle Plaine at home against Baxter.