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No. 4 Cougars make most of state debutCEDAR RAPIDS, Nov 15, 2008 (Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Playing in its first state tournament in school history, the AGWSR volleyball team didn't have to wait long for a chance to play for a state title. Standout senior outside hitter Macy Ubben continued to make a name for herself Friday at the Class 1A state tournament, finishing with a match-high 23 kills and 35 digs to guide AGWSR to a 26-24, 27-25, 21-25, 25-14 victory over New London Friday night at the U.S. Cellular Center. "This is what we've been working for all season," Ubben said. "It's the best feeling in the world to be here, especially our first year." While it's tough to ignore Ubben's ability to uncork a powerful kill, the 6-foot-3 outside hitter showcased a little versatility, as well. She mixed in a few off-pace shots and even landed a couple of two-handed pushes across the net. "She's probably the best all-around player I've ever worked with," AGWSR head coach Adam Bosch said. "Each match she gets better. I can't believe it. Even though we expect it from her, it's nice to see that she steps it up every time, and she's such a team player. She makes everyone around her better because she is such a threat." One of five senior starters, Ubben is one of several Cougars playing with a sense of urgency this state tournament. Senior Jenna Boyle was in on a match-high five blocks and finished with three aces, while senior Cassidy Ringena and sophomore Megan Pieters added eight kills each. "It's been a dream of theirs ever since they started," Bosch said. "It may not have been a reality when we started off, but each season they've made the improvements, they ask the questions to get better, and they actually work at it. ... They're such a great group, and we owe a lot to them." In the opening set, New London built three separate leads of four points or more, but the Cougars wouldn't go away. AGWSR took its first lead at 18-17 with an 8-1 run. New London later fought off three set points before Ubben ended the game with a well-placed push that dropped in the middle of the front court. The Cougars found themselves trailing in the second set, too, before turning to their front line to turn things around. The Tigers again fought off three set points before Ubben landed a finesse shot and McDowell and Ringena teamed up for the clinching block. New London recovered from a six-point deficit to tie the third set at 19. The Tigers, playing in their fourth consecutive state tournament, extended their lead on a couple of shaky AGWSR passes, and Sasha Noel delivered New London's final three kills of the set to keep her team alive. In set four it was all AGWSR as the Cougars opened with a 7-3 run and never looked back. "I think the kids did everything I asked them to do," New London coach Maureen Heath said. "(AGWSR) has got a great front line, and we battled hard. We tried to work when Ubben was in the back row, but they've got several to go to. For Ubben and her Cougars teammates, the finals can't come soon enough. "The atmosphere is going to be great," Ubben said. "Our fans are really getting into it, and I'm just so excited to be here. We're ready." Contact Nick Petaros at [email protected] To see more of the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.wcfcourier.com/. Copyright (c) 2008, Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, Iowa Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. |