Class 1A volleyball roundup: Timberwolves, Broncos reach Sweet 16
Oct. 31—WINDSOR — Cerro Gordo/Bement volleyball's historic season continued after the Broncos posted a 25-19, 26-28, 25-19 win against LeRoy in a Class 1A sectional semifinal match on Monday night.
The latest win by the Broncos (29-8) was far from a certainty as they yielded a lead during the second set before storming back to earn the win.
"We came back out strong and then we got a lead," Broncos coach Diann Durbin said. "When they kind of tried climbing back in that match, we kept our composure, stayed confident and finished."
Ali Walker powered the Broncos' offense with 24 kills — many triggered by Haylei Simpson's 30 assists — while adding 11 digs on the other end. Joie Auth chipped in 10 kills while Skye Tieman added 12 digs and Caroline Hill had three blocks.
After ending the season for LeRoy (23-15), the Broncos will face Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg (33-5) in the sectional title match at 6 p.m. Wednesday. The host Hatchets defeated Judah Christian 25-8, 25-7 to end the Tribe's season.
Three kills from Rachel Divan and five assists from Klementine Davis led Judah Christian (28-2).
Durbin and the Broncos know they'll have a tough test on Wednesday night if they want to reach the 30-win mark and advance to Friday's Milford Super-Sectional.
"We're just going to have to come out right from the start and stay aggressive and moving our feet," Durbin said. "They have a lot of good hitters on their team. ... (We need to stick to) the things we've done all season which is working together, communicating and moving all the time."
Unfamiliar stages have been kind to Cerro Gordo/Bement so far.
"They played with lots of intensity right from the start (on Monday night)" Durbin said. "Even from the bus ride there, they didn't seem nervous. They seemed ready to go."
Cissna Park wins. Cissna Park is still in the hunt for its first sectional title since 2015.
The Timberwolves rolled to a 25-10, 25-11 win against Morgan Park Academy in a 1A Woodland Sectional semifinal match on Monday night.
Cissna Park (35-3) relied on 11 kills from Addison Lucth, 19 assists from Ava Morrical and five aces from Sophie Duis to advance to Wednesday night's title match against Lexington.
