Prep Volleyball: Notre Dame Sneaks Past Rival Holy Trinity:
In a clash of Southeast Iowa Super Conference powers, it was Notre Dame doing just enough to sneak past Holy Trinity in last night’s Class 1A State Semifinal.
The scoreboard says it was a Notre Dame sweep — and it was — but each was about as spine-tingling and hair-raising as the next.
The Nikes earned 26-24, 26-24 and 27-25 wins to advance to tonight’s 1A State Final, where they will meet up with third-seeded Springville.
Gabby Deery was the difference maker once again for the Nikes, following up a 26-kill quarterfinal with 23 again last night.
The 6’2′ junior outside hitter looked like the best player on the floor once again.
Josie Bentz aided Deery’s effort with 13 kills of her own, while Jenna Bentz had 45 assists.
Mary Kent Bendlage led the Crusader attack with 10 kills, while Natalie Randolph had eight kills on 37 attempts.
Kassi Randolph had 14 assists while Bendlage led the back row with 14 digs.
Holy Trinity ends their season 37-8, while Notre Dame improved to 37-8.
Springville swept away North Tama to advance, 25-10, 25-12, 25-17.
Other state final matchups:
- No. 1 Dike-New Hartford vs. No. 3 Western Christian
- No. 4 West Liberty vs. No. 2 West Delaware
- No. 1 Western Dubuque vs. No. 3 Waverly-Shell Rock
- No. 4 Cedar Falls vs. No. 2 Pleasant Valley
Prep Football: WACO Readies for State Semifinal Appearance:
The No. 5 WACO Warrior football team will be looking to punch their ticket to the UNI Dome in Cedar Falls tonight when they welcome in No. 6 Audubon in an eight-player state quarterfinal.
The Warriors, 10-0 on the season, rolled past Martensdale-St. Mary’s last week 50-8 behind 305 team rushing yards and seven scores.
Meanwhile the Wheelers made a statement in a 63-14 win over No. 1 Montezuma.
Senior quarter back Gavin Smith put up a video game stat line of 22 carries for 301 yards and six touchdowns against the Braves.
Tonight’s game will kick at 7:00 p.m. at WACO High School, with coverage on KILJ-AM 1130 and FM 98.5.
Ben Fry and Kent Bennett will have the call.
College Football: Iowa’s Campbell Named Butkus Award Semifinalist:
University of Iowa junior linebacker Jack Campbell has been named one of 16 semifinalists for the Dick Butkus Award.
The announcement was made earlier this week by the Butkus Foundation.
He leads Iowa with 76 tackles, including 33 solo tackles and 43 assists. He also has five pass break-ups, two recovered fumbles, one caused fumble and 1.5 tackles for loss. He ranks fifth in the Big Ten in tackles per game (9.5) and fourth in fumble recoveries (two).
Campbell was recently named a second-team midseason All-American by The Athletic. He was the Bronko Nagurski national and Big Ten Conference Defensive Player of the Week following Iowa’s win over Colorado State.
Finalists for the 2021 Butkus Award will be announced Nov. 22, with the winner being announced on or before Dec. 7.
Iowa will take on Northwestern this weekend on the road.
Kick is set for 6:00 p.m.