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Clear Creek Amana focus on ‘next point’ in state volleyball sweep
Sergeant Bluff-Luton shocked Xavier last season and the Clippers made sure history did not repeat itself
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CORALVILLE — They remembered.
Clear Creek-Amana knew just what Sergeant Bluff-Luton was capable of as a No. 8 state seed.
Last year, the Warriors came to Xtream Arena as the No. 8 seed and proceeded to shock top-seeded Cedar Rapids Xavier in the Class 4A quarterfinals.
"We were watching that match," said Clippers Coach Jackie Clubb. "We definitely talked about it."
Early on in Monday's match, it appeared history could repeat itself as the Warriors led for much of the first set.
With senior setter Emily Henderson setting the pace for her team, CCA put an end to any upset talk, however. The Clippers prevailed 25-23 in the first set, then took the next two sets, 25-9, 25-21 to complete the sweep.
Now 42-3, CCA advances to a Wednesday semifinal match at noon.
Clubb was proud of the way her team responded to the early onslaught from SB-L.
"I think it is important to never underestimate an opponent," Clubb said. "We saw the hurt they brought to Xavier and we know Sergeant Bluff has the capability to be a momentum-changing team."
Henderson said once Clubb spoke about last year's match, it really was not broached much after that moment.
"It really didn't come up in practice because we were all worrying about ourselves," she said in reference to SB-L's upset win last year. "We just looked at their film, learning what they do."
The steadying influence of Henderson was evident. The 5-foot-8 senior setter finished with 35 assists and eight digs. She kept the Warriors guessing, often giving her hitters open looks.
Henderson said the team's overall approach has been the same all season.
"Our huge thing is just a next point mentality," she said. "Even when we were going back and forth, we never thought for one second that we were going to lose. Sometimes, a point doesn't go your way, but if you are always ready for the next point you can still come out on top."
Senior Averie Lower paced the offense with 17 kills for the Clippers. Bailey Simpson chipped in with 10.
For the Warriors, who close at 19-12, freshman Leiana Eldridge and senior Bre VanDenTop led the way with 11 kills apiece.
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