Nov 22, 2008 - 04:06:12 CST
MINOT - En route to a 32-5 record, Century hasn't had to play much with its back to the wall.Friday the Patriots proved they could. Century came back from a 2-1 deficit to overhaul Grand Forks Red River 3-2 in Friday's semifinals round of the state Class A girls volleyball tournament.
Madi Buck's cross-court blast ended the marathon match, giving Century a 16-14 win in the decisive fifth game. The Patriots rallied to win the opening game 25-21, but Red River assumed a lead by squeaking out 26-24 and 28-26 verdicts in the next two games.
Painted into a corner, Century forced a fifth game with a 25-19 decision.
Century goes against archrival Bismarck in today's championship game. The Patriots are 3-0 against the Demons thus far, but CHS coach Jeni Walsh said she assumes nothing heading into 6 p.m. final.
"It's a dream match," Walsh said. "Our kids love to compete against each other. Bismarck is an excellent team with excellent athletes, and to bring this trophy back to the West is awesome."
Walsh said it's that competitive nature that sustained her team through a heart-stopping match with a Red River team that was every bit Century's equal.
"I've got competitive kids, and they thrive on this stuff," Walsh said. "¦ These kids love the big games."
All five of Friday's games were huge and every point was contested rabidly.
Century rallied from deficits of 19-12 and 20-15 to take the first game 25-21. Tricia Sorensen served for seven straight points, including four aces, down the stretch.
Century, down 24-21, came back to knot things at 24 before Red River won the second game 26-24.
Red River was in charge 23-18 in the third game, but the Patriots rallied for a 25-24 lead. The Roughriders broke a 26-26 tie on a hit by Emily Evers, and a block by Holly Asche put Century on the brink of elimination.
A 9-3 run enables Century to open a 23-16 lead and take control of the fourth game. A hit by Buck was the clincher as the Patriots evened the match with a 25-19 verdict.
Again Red River had Century on the ropes in the fifth game. Down 13-9, CHS kicked things into gear with a match-winning 8-1 run. The Patriots closed with four unanswered points, including a kill and an ace by Sorensen and Buck's winner.
By advancing to the championship match, Century avenged its only loss to a North Dakota team. Red River defeated the Patriots in a season-opening tournament in August.
"We talked before the match about us beating us in August," Jeni Walsh said. "We knew they were terrific blockers but we found a way to get it through. I'm not sure how we did it sometimes."
Buck, a 6-foot junior hitter, said she never doubted Century could overtake the Roughriders.
"As long as we keep aggressive, keep our energy and believe in each other we can accomplish anything," she said. "¦ It was awesome. Both teams were really scrappy when it came down to the end."
There were plenty of brilliant individual efforts. Red River's Emily Evers, a a 6-2 junior hitter, finished with 14 kills, five blocks and two aces. Megan Stoley added 18 assists and 28 digs for the Roughriders.
Buck and Sorensen tallied 16 kills apiece and Carli Peterson tacked on 10. Hailee Walsh led the way with 45 assists and contributed 18 digs.
As gut-wrenching as it may have been, Buck said she'd love to replay the match. "It was unreal. It was really fun," she said. "Every point was a big celebration. We'll take the win. We really fought for it and we deserve it."
Red River, now 27-7, takes on West Fargo, a 3-2 loser to Bismarck in the early semifinal, for third place at 2 p.m. today.
Red River 21 26 28 19 14
Century 25 24 26 25 16
Red River: Kills - Emily Evers 14, Holly Asche 10, Jordyn Steffen 9, Emily Asche 7, Brooke Larson 5. Blocks - Evers 5, H. Asche 4, E. Asche 4, Larson 2. Assists - Rachel Black 22, Megan Stoley 18. Digs - Stoley 28, Rachel Black 19, Larson 17, Alexa Bateman 11, Steffen 10. Aces - Evers 2.
Century: Kills - Madi Buck 16, Tricia Sorensen 16, Carli Peterson 10, A.J. Jacobs 9. Blocks - Peterson 4, Buck 2, Morgan Wald 2. Assists - Hailee Walsh 45, Erika Jossart 2. Digs - Jossart 43, Peterson 18, Walsh 18, Buck 15, Lexi Holzer 9. Aces - Sorensen 4, Jossart 3.
Records: Red River 27-7, Century 32-5.
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