The #4 (2A) Grundy Center volleyball team will look to advance to its second state tournament appearance in three years when it takes on #14 (2A) Woodward-Granger in the 2A Region 4 Final Wednesday at Roland-Story.
The Spartans have been dominant in postseason play, having given up no more than 17 points in any set in wins over Earlham and Colfax-Mingo. They’ve been led by middle hitter Ryanne Brubaker, whose 1.2 blocks per set and .475 efficiency lead Class 2A. Head Coach Lori Willis says the team has a renewed sense of motivation to return to the state tournament, especially after a late-season match against South Hardin, the team they lost to in last year’s regional final.
“A senior said that her favorite memory was beating Grundy Center to go to state at the regional final,” Willis says. “And that is a very valid memory, but it really inspired our girls, put it fresh in their memory. And I think that’s how we were able to handle them so well in that match, because they knew that it’s our time and that we’re in the position where other teams were at last year. We are a little bit older, a little bit more experienced, more firepower, better ball control. So we’re that team that everybody else is chasing right now.”
Woodward-Granger has won seven straight matches without dropping a set. They handled Nodaway Valley and ACGC in the first two rounds to advance. Three sophomores lead their offense with two or more kills per set. They’ll go for the program’s second state tournament appearance, having previously qualified in 2011.
The first serve will be at 7:00 p.m.
