Janesville Volleyball Team Falls Short in State Championship Match

The Janesville Wildcats finished their volleyball season as the Class 1A runner-ups after losing to the St. Ansgar Saints in the state championship match, with a final score of 3-1. Despite a strong start in the first set, the Wildcats struggled to maintain their momentum, ultimately falling short in the crucial moments of the match.

Path to the Finals

Before facing St. Ansgar, Janesville navigated through the semifinals against a familiar opponent, the North Tama Redhawks. The Wildcats had previously triumphed over the Redhawks in two earlier matches this season, winning both by a score of 2-1.

In the semifinal match, the Wildcats initially fell behind, but quickly regained control. After finding themselves tied 2-2, Janesville surged ahead, establishing an 8-0 scoring run to secure a 25-19 victory in the first set. The second set mirrored this performance, with the Wildcats overcoming another tight start to win 25-19, led by Keke Smith’s decisive kill.

With a commanding lead in the third set, Janesville clinched their spot in the state championship by completing a sweep, winning 25-14. Head Coach Shelly Sorensen praised her team’s focus and determination, noting that despite their past victories, they anticipated a tough battle against North Tama.

Offensively, Quinn Sweeney shone with 14 kills, supported by Smith and Hayden Anderson with eight and seven kills, respectively. The team also demonstrated strong defensive skills, with Sweeney contributing five blocks and Gracie Bloes leading with 12 digs.

State Championship Showdown

The Wildcats faced St. Ansgar in the championship match, a rematch of an earlier encounter on September 25, where Janesville lost 2-1. The championship match began favorably for the Wildcats, as they secured a dominant 25-14 win in the first set, outscoring the Saints 19-8 after an initial tie at 6-6.

However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the subsequent sets. St. Ansgar rebounded, taking the next three sets with scores of 25-22, 25-19, and 25-20, ultimately earning the title. Sweeney again led Janesville with 12 kills, while Anderson added 10 and Tayah Pollock contributed 36 assists.

Following the match, Coach Sorensen acknowledged the Saints’ performance, stating, “We knew it was going to take a great match in order to beat St. Ansgar. They just outplayed us after that in all parts of the game.”

Despite the disappointment, the Wildcats concluded their season with a commendable record of 33-12, including an Iowa Star North conference title and an Iowa Star Conference tournament title. With only one senior leaving the team, there is a sense of optimism for the future. Sorensen reflected on the season and the team’s goals, stating, “The goals we set from the beginning were to get to the state tournament and do some damage. They’ve worked hard this season to prepare for this, and it’s been a great season with a great group of kids.”

The Janesville Wildcats’ journey through the season has showcased their resilience and talent, setting a promising foundation for the upcoming years.