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Washington Evening Journal
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Wildcats will past WACO in 4
Columbus buckles down, haults WACO comeback bid
WAYLAND — WACO hosted Columbus in a Southeast Iowa Super Conference North Division clash on Tuesday night, and after dominating the first two sets, the Wildcats had to pull out all the stops to earn a four-set victory.
It was all Columbus early on. The Wildcats took control early and flew through the first two sets, winning 25-12 and 25-11, threatening to sweep the Warriors and get out early.
The third set, however, things changed. WACO lept out to a four-point lead early, getting the home fans up and going. The Warriors led almost all set before Columbus’ Jessica Del Rio tied things at 22-22. WACO, however, hit back by scoring the next three points, finishing the set off 25-22 on a kill by Drew Graber.
“It was really nice, and really good to see the girls come out with some confidence,” said WACO head coach Danae Drish. “And to play the type of game they know how to play.”
WACO threatened to turn a would-be sweep into a five-setter by once again jumping out to a lead in Set 4. The Warriors led 16-14 when Columbus called a timeout to slow things down. The Wildcats would turn it on late, scoring 11 of the next 18 points.
“I think the problem is, tt was dominant in the first two, and then they get a little relaxed,” said Columbus head coach Lori Beenen. “I think the biggest thing is, our team settled down and rose to the occasion.”
WACO had turned a 24-20 deficit into a 24-23 deficit, getting one point away from tying the game up. Columbus’ Audrey Hoback, however, sent a floater over the Warriors’ front row to end the game with a kill.
“I think that kind of showed our whole effort throughout the game,” said Del Rio. “We hung in there until the last point.”
Del Rio and Kennedy Woepking co-led the Wildcats with nine kills piece. Aracely Garza finished with eight kills and 18 digs. Hoback had seven. Daniela Diaz dished out 26 assists. Del Rio and Garza dominated at the service line, going for seven aces each.
“I think we all just kept our energy up and we trusted each other,” Del Rio said. “We just did everything we could to score, and get back up.”
Brenna Graber led WACO with seven kills in the loss. Carlee Lunsford and Drew Graber each had six kills. Morgan Leichty and Ella Huisenga finished with four kills ech.
The Warriors were co-led in assists by Morgan Meyer and Kinsey Hildebrand, who finished with 11 each. Huisenga led the team with 24 digs.
Columbus is now 5-9 overall and 3-1 in conference play. WACO fell to 5-10 overall and 0-3 in the league.
