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♪♪ ♪♪ Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa.

It is time for class three, a state championship volleyball match up, and we have an outstanding final two schools extremely familiar with each other as Cherokee.

The Braves 32 and eight overall, playing their best volleyball of the year and Western Christian.

All they do is win so many state titles and they are the number one overall seed.

Beth, as we look at these two schools, it's so rare to see two schools from the same conference play for a state title.

So exciting.

Same conference they played back at the beginning of September.

It seems like a lifetime ago.

Western Christian won that one, but Cherokee is on a roll.

Can they take down the number one seed here in the last match of the season for 3A?

Let's dive a little deeper on these two schools that are playing for the class 3A title and Cherokee third trip to state.

All of them since 2023.

And Addy Wolfswinkel leads the team in kills.

She'll play for the University of Nebraska, Omaha.

She is outstanding, and the senior Deidra Doeden leads the team in blocks in is number two in kills.

She's heading to D1 Wichita State and for their opponent Western Christian.

If you followed volleyball at all in the state of Iowa, 44th trip to state 26th straight trip.

Both are state records.

They played in 23 of the last 26 state championships, and Morgan Kooiman has 1000 plus career kills and is number one in 3A with a 463 kill efficiency.

Look out for Breslyn Kooima.

She has 1000 plus career digs.

The anchor in the back row is the defensive specialist as well.

Let's go to Mr.

Fitzpatrick, the public address announcer.

Ladies and gentlemen, since 1998, the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union has honored the state's greatest prep volleyball players with induction into the Iowa High School Volleyball Hall of Fame.

Tonight, we honor the 28th class of inductees presenting Hall of Fame Awards is the executive director of the Girls Athletic Union, Aaron Gerlich.

Along with volleyball Administrator Ben Van Wyck.

Today's first inductee is Megan Sharkey from Bettendorf.

A standout setter for the Bulldogs, Megan helped lead one of Iowa's premier high school programs through an extraordinary four year run.

During her career, Bettendorf played in four state championship matches, winning class 5A state titles in 2012 and 2013, and finishing as the state runner up in both 2014 and 15.

Megan steady leadership, court vision and ability to distribute the ball made her one of the state's top setters.

She earned first team class 5A all state recognition in 2014, then elevated her game again as an elite all state selection in 2015.

That season, she averaged nearly ten assists per set, added strong defensive and serving numbers, and was named to the All-Tournament team after helping Bettendorf return to the championship match.

Megan continued her volleyball career at Rutgers University and Creighton University, competing at the Division One level and helping Creighton reach the NCAA tournament.

Let's welcome to the Hall of Fame from Bettendorf.

Megan Sharkey.

[APPLAUSE] Our next inductee becomes the sixth player from Dike-New Hartford to join the Volleyball Hall of Fame, and she's the first second generation Hall of Famer as she joins her mother, Bobby Becker Petersen, who is part of the inaugural Class of Hall of Famers in 1998.

She was a libero whose defensive excellence helped define one of the state's most successful programs.

She was part of three state championship teams, helping Dike-New Hartford win Class 2A titles in 2014 and 17, and a class 3A title in 2016.

Her ability to control the back row, extend rallies and serve with consistency made her one of Iowa's most complete defensive players.

She earned first team all state honors in 2015, then followed by back to back elite All-State selections in 2016 and 17.

In 2016.

She was named class 3A player of the year, and in 2017 she was named the overall State Player of the year while captaining the All-Tournament team, she continued her career at the University of Texas, where she led the team in digs in multiple seasons, won four big 12 championships and helped the Longhorns reach the NCAA championship match.

As a senior, she returned home to play for her mom at Northern Iowa, where she helped the Panthers win the Missouri Valley Conference title and reached the second round of the NCAA tournament.

That's welcome her back to the state tournament.

One of Iowa's premier back row players from Dike-New Hartford Sidney Petersen.

[APPLAUSE] This afternoon's final inductee starred at West Des Moines Valley from 2013 to 2016.

A dynamic and versatile standout for the Tigers, she made an impact in every phase of the game.

She developed into one of Iowa's premier players, earning first team class 5A All-State honors in 2015 before being named elite All State and the class 5A player of the year in 2016.

That senior season, she averaged 4.7 kills, 2.4 digs while also contributing as a passer, blocker and server, helping Valley reach the state tournament semifinals and earning All-Tournament recognition.

Her high school career totals reflected her all around ability, as she had more than 1400 kills, 900 assists, 700 digs, and nearly 200 blocks in her career.

She went on to an outstanding collegiate career at Baylor University, where she became one of the nation's top setters.

She was a two time big 12 setter of the year, a two time first team all big 12 selection and honorable mention All-American as a freshman and a first team All-American in 2019, she helped Baylor make repeated NCAA tournament runs, including a trip to the national semifinals.

She finished her collegiate career, ranking fourth in school history with 4805 assists.

Please join us in welcoming the first West Des Moines Valley Tiger into the Volleyball Hall of Fame.

Hannah Larkin, Sedgwick.

[APPLAUSE] Ladies and gentlemen, presenting the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union's Volleyball Hall of Fame class of 2026 from Bettendorf.

Megan Sharky from Dike-new Hartford, Sydney Petersen and from West Des Moines Valley.

Hannah Larkin, Sedgwick.

Congratulations.

[APPLAUSE] Thank you.

Jason Esslinger and congratulations.

What an incredible class.

Three of the best to ever do it for the Iowa high school girls Union and the volleyball.

Just all unique in their own way as well.

And scan that QR code so you can be part of the light show.

We want you there.

♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ All right, fans, let's hear it for your Cherokee Braves.

♪♪ ♪♪ In.

♪♪ Our Guinn.

I knew there was no turning back.

♪♪ Now the range in.

What can I do?

♪♪ In.

You.

There was no air.

No air.

♪♪ Sound.

Just.

♪♪ The thunder.

All right, fans, give it up for your Western Christian Wolfpack.

♪♪ ♪♪ In the town.

♪♪ We did a Texas.

Yeah.

All right, fans, it's now time to introduce our players and coaches in today's 3A championship match.

First of all, for the Cherokee Braves, here are your Nonstarters.

Number one, Ava Thorson.

Number six Kendall Fox.

Number nine.

Bryn Lewis.

Number ten Laityn Riley.

Number 11 Kendra Smith.

Number 13.

Emerson Lucas.

Number 15.

Brittany Kennedi Tyler and number 16 Arielle Winkel.

Your assistant coaches Adrianna Kennedy.

Keely.

Gregg and Sarah Tracey.

And now here's your starting lineup for the Braves of Cherokee, a 510 senior number three Addie Wolfswinkel, a 510 senior.

Number four Emma Lindorff a 511 junior number five Ella Timmerman five eight.

Senior number eight Ellana Mortenson a six two.

Senior number 12 Deidra Doeden and a five seven.

Senior number 14 Mahren Malausky.

Your libero is a five five junior number seven Ireland Kennedy.

Head coach for the Braves Tara Luger.

And now let's meet the Wolfpack from Western Christian.

Here are your Nonstarters.

Number three.

No.

Excuse me.

Number 057, junior Avery Feenstra.

A junior, number three, Taryn Degroat.

Number four, Ainsley Haveman.

Number five, Willa Ruttman, number six.

Lilli Kamstra, number eight.

Hailey van Meeteren.

Number nine, Maria Wynja, number 12, Afton Haven.

Your assistant coaches?

Ashton Kline.

Amanda Hall and Jenna Dykstra.

Now, here's your starting lineup for the Wolfpack of Western Christian, a five six senior number two Hadley Dekkers 511 junior number seven Maddyn De Jager six two.

Sophomore.

Number ten Kennedy Van't Hul six three.

Junior.

Number 11.

Morgan Kooiman five nine.

Senior number 13.

Oh.

Livia ten.

Napel and a six one freshman.

Number 14 Josie Hall.

Your libero is a five three senior number one Breslyn Kooima head coach for the Wolfpack.

Tammi Veerbeek.

And now, fans, here are the officials assigned to this championship match by the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union.

Your first referee, Jennifer Wick.

Your second referee Shawn Petersen line judges Ted Moser and Mark Royer.

All right, who's ready to win a state championship?

Before we serve things up here in class 3A, I want to know the keys to the match.

Beth, what is it going to take here for these two schools?

Let's first start with Cherokee, who?

They're on a hot streak right now.

They are.

We are looking for the Braves to start on the attack.

Be aggressive and fearless to try to set the tone early.

They've had a great state tournament, beating higher seeded teams.

So continue the momentum, battle together and put forth your best in this last match of the year.

No need to save it for anything else.

It's the last day of volleyball here in the state of Iowa.

How about Western Christian, the powerhouse, the tradition that is Western Christian?

The Wolfpack are looking to take advantage of the size differential on the front line.

They want to use every inch to maximize their net presence.

And we know this team is well coached, so they need to stay disciplined and execute the game plan for a victory.

The stage is set.

Legendary coach Tammi Veerbeek 1231 victories in her 31st year, and she most recently became the winningest coach in the state of Iowa.

She said it might be her name on the career wins record, but it belongs to so, so many people, which that's what a good coach would say, right?

Surround yourself with good assistant coaches.

Develop your players.

It's everyone who supports and surrounds a team that allows that head coach to get the win tally behind their name.

She's a Western Christian alum who took over the program in 1999, just the pride of Western Christian, the number one school right now.

But number six Cherokee Washington, they they had revenge in the semis, avenging three earlier losses to MOC-Floyd Valley their last two trips to state ended in the quarterfinals.

They believe they can win this and and that that is important.

They get the first point to go up one.

Nothing here in the first set.

And here's a first look at Addy Wolfswinkel.

You see her kill efficiency off the charts at 31832 aces.

The D1 commit to Omaha in Western Christian does not take long before they get their first point here this afternoon.

[LAUGHTER] Western Christian on the left of your screen and the black and gold is Cherokee.

Doeden in the middle.

Number 12.

There you see her for the Braves jumping high, swiping that ball on the over dig, making sure it doesn't fall down on their side.

Doeden six foot two inch senior middle hitter, 286 kills.

Addy Wolfswinkel 283 kills, and then a third hitter.

Elana Mortenson, 231 kills.

That's a lot of good options, and I haven't even mentioned number four Emma Ohlendorf, who had 139 kills into the net and Cherokee off to a hot start here.

[APPLAUSE] Good serving.

Kendyl Fox.

Blocked it down for a point.

Really, everything has been fundamentally sound so far for Cherokee, and they're not.

The deer in the headlight look that I might have expected, because Western Christian has been on this championship stage so many times.

Cherokee really, they got nothing to lose, right?

Braves starting right on the attack.

No fear getting after it, and they're just locked in to start.

Set one.

Digging up everything.

That one's down.

[APPLAUSE] The block was there but a smart decision on the swing and the kill.

Maddyn De Jager.

De Jager on that outside.

She's one of the leaders on that left pin.

And a smart shot needed that side out just to keep it a little close and want the Braves going on too much of a run already here.

As we open up this match.

Great effort to keep the ball off the court.

Still the early going, but right now.

Western hitting -111.

Well Cherokee hitting 300.

Celebration for Ellana Mortenson and a four point lead.

Here's another look.

Just chops it to get it over.

It was a lower set.

They're running that faster tempo on the off or on the outside.

But Mortenson knows how to handle it.

That's a tough play for the setter.

Covered a lot of ground and now a whistle in the net against Cherokee.

It's the third point for Western Christian and the Side out, and an opportunity for Morgan Kooiman, the junior middle hitter, to serve.

Ball sails out of bounds on the swing, and I think this is the thing with the veteran team.

Don't hit the panic button.

You can be down five, six points early on.

There's plenty of time to go on a run of your own and chip away at that deficit.

Stay calm, cool and collected.

Work your defense.

Turn it into offense and they know they can go on runs of their own.

Good response though from the Braves straight down the line, wide open.

Looking for a volleyball.

And now here's Marin Malausky, a senior setter.

On the year she had 22 aces.

Pops it up.

The libero Kennedy so good defensively.

Blasting it to the back row.

But touch at the net.

And it's now a two point difference here in set one of class three a. Waukee Northwest the champions in class 5A in three over Dallas Center-Grimes and a thriller.

If you missed it, you got to go to the Iowa PBS archives.

Winning the 4A title in five sets over Clear Creek Amana.

It was Norwalk.

So we're a little bit behind schedule from the start time of this 3A championship match, but no complaints from me as that was entertaining volleyball.

For good reason.

We are running behind because we wouldn't trade that five setter for anything.

Mortenson good communication to let that ball sail out of bounds instead of trying to play it and Cherokee back up by three.

Van't Hul trying to turn that one back to her left, running out of the middle.

Just went wide.

Keep swinging though.

Got it through the block.

Wolfswinkel was there, but a good swing and attack.

And now serving.

It's Taryn DeGroot.

Blocked that down for a point.

That's a solo stuff.

Love a good solo stuff.

One on one.

Shutting it down.

Great way to get a point for your team.

Nice job again.

Really applying pressure on that back row.

And not allowing Western Christian to string more than 1 or 2 points together.

Wow.

Number three Wolfswinkel.

What a block.

She shuts it down.

She lines up on that right pin and Doeden does a good job closing.

One hand up.

Beautiful play there by the setter.

Malausky.

She keeps it alive again, but running out of touches and opportunities.

Two point game as some football Western Christian players make the trip to cheer on their fellow classmates and friends.

Breslin Kooima, the senior libero over 1000 career digs.

Cross court.

Swing a little too much on that one.

And now, just like that one point separating these two schools as number one Kooima to serve.

[APPLAUSE] Cherokee with the Side out a lot of bang bang quick action plays.

And now here's Bryn Lewis checking in as Tammi Veerbeek looks on 40 wins already for Western Christian, while Cherokee Washington 32 and eight.

No Touch Called goes out of bounds in the Side out with Josie Hall.

Here's another look.

Trying to find that connection between Wolfswinkel and the middle.

Impressed with number three for the Braves when she's in the back row, she's setting.

When she's in the front row, she's hitting.

So keep an eye on Wolfswinkel.

Such a versatile.

That is not common.

That is not easy.

It is not.

Absolutely not.

So they run a six two, but it's modified in a way that one of the setters stays in and continues to hit and block in the front row.

A chess match in strategy, paying off Josie Hall, she is a freshman.

She wears number 14 for Western Christian.

She's serving Cherokee with the point and the side out.

Had some net calls already in set one.

You want to go up strong.

You want to press over, but staying clean and controlled.

So you stay out of the top of the tape.

And as you're coming down and landing, staying clean.

Here's Kendyl Fox in the rotation for serving.

She's a good one.

Pops it up.

Free ball over the net.

Western Christian in the maroon tops.

[APPLAUSE] Gets it through.

Bazal block in the middle and just gave it everything she had.

Attack the block and gets the point.

Here's another look at that.

Just muscling it through.

Kooiman strong in the middle.

No, she's got that block in front of her.

Stays off the net so she can work.

Pulls it off their hands there.

Tied at 13.

Love the effort.

Tip.

And sometimes when you go for power, everyone's on their heels waiting for the fastball.

You can pull up.

Disguise it.

And at the last second I'm gonna tip and catch him off guard.

Western Christian, with their first lead.

Now up by one at 1413.

But not having any of that Deidra Doeden the senior heading to Wichita State says, I want the ball back.

I want to serve a lot of power.

Doeden my oh my.

Going through the hole in that block, there was space.

She snaps on it fast before it closes.

Fantastic.

Kill.

And quickly we get a side out.

[APPLAUSE] Now both teams had pretty low hitting percentages, both below 200.

Is that really good defense or just kind of a slow start offensively, would you say as Western Christian's at 154 and Cherokee at 148 for team hitting percentage.

Could be a little of both.

From the blocking perspective, if there's some blocks, force errors, difference, you know, a little bit from the hitting it straight out of bounds versus getting blocked.

But I think we've seen some really good defense.

There's been some longer rallies.

So a lot of attempts right back and forth, back and forth, limited or lower amount of kills.

Love the intensity.

Love the defense.

Everything on the line here in the class three, a state championship match from Xtream Arena and Coralville.

Student athletes have invested so much.

Most of them play club volleyball, working the off season in the weight room, doing the agility things, and then it feels sometimes like a long season, but it goes fast.

You start in August 1st matches of the year.

You know, Western Christian played Pleasant Valley.

That's a very large school.

And on August 29th.

Cherokee played Lemars.

On August 27th.

Feels like a long time ago, but it goes fast.

It goes by fast in one season and then your whole experience as a whole goes by fast.

We think of Cherokee.

They have six seniors and they've all played volleyball together since fourth grade, which is.

The bond.

Amazing.

The bond, the relationship, and just some of that nonverbal that I'm sure they're able to feed off of one another.

So the season goes by fast, but wow, fourth grade to now seniors.

I'm sure that went by fast too.

And they were they've been rewarded for all their time invested as well.

Third state tournament in four years.

They have two division one commits and they have a school record 32 wins this year.

But right now this is when it gets a little interesting because Western.

This is when the good teams start to separate themselves.

They lead by two.

Make it three.

[APPLAUSE] We might see our first time out of this first set.

And yes, we indeed do.

Coach Luger calls the time out as Cherokee wants to talk things over.

1916 As Western Christian leads by three.

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Again, we have basketball.

We have softball.

We have football coming up.

Boys and girls.

Wrestling is not easy as it takes so much time and effort, so many people to bring you the sights, the sounds of what is happening live right here, right now in Coralville, Beth West and myself.

Eric Braley enjoy.

We always circle this date on the calendar, don't we, Beth?

We do.

Months in advance.

And now here's Western Christian.

Can they pull away?

Well, that certainly helps.

Dialing up an aces Maddyn De Jager the junior outside hitter.

She had 31 aces heading into the tournament.

Cherokee needs a side out.

There's one.

The back set right on the money and delivering the powerful kill.

Mortenson from the right side.

Different look takes it down the line.

And now back to serve.

Into the net.

Score is a four point lead for Western Christian and they need just four points to go ahead.

Claiming the first set.

A lot of work to do for Cherokee here.

After that hot start.

Give credit to Western Christian for playing tough and making a surge.

Nice block set up on the outside there.

Timmerman and Wolfswinkel solid forearms pressed over, making it difficult for Josie Hall from Western Christian.

She couldn't get through.

Doeden and Mortenson, each with four kills for Western Christian.

For Cherokee, a great first opening set.

Oh, and look at that effort.

She's falling backwards and just keeps it alive.

That's exactly what you want out of your libero and Cherokee with the point closing the gap to just two here.

Absolutely fantastic defense for Cherokee to keep that one alive, which resulted in a team point.

They're surging back.

And now Western Christian using their first time out.

Each team gets two.

Let's listen in to Cherokee's huddle and Coach Luger Free ball.

They're going deep corners.

Okay, you've got to stay true in the back row.

Off block coverage has to transition.

Have to has to transition and expect that dump.

Okay.

We've got to stay aggressive on the net.

We've got to be penetrating and we got to keep pounding.

Okay.

They're not even getting set when we're tempo.

Keep it up.

On the pins on the nine pin right now they're the middles not closing the nine pin.

That seam is there if we got to go get it.

Otherwise, take it out of the hands.

Out of bounds.

Okay.

Let's go, let's go, let's.

Go.

Giving a lot of strategy pointers.

Within that huddle, telling them what's open and what she wants her team to continue to do.

And she threw in a little pound town as well to remind her hitters, hey, let's get after it.

Keep it going.

142 wins in her career in five years, only 43 losses.

She knows what she's doing.

Coach Tara Luger teams trails by two.

How will they respond?

It's tough as a big time.

Play by Western Christian.

Josie Hall, freshman on the outside staying high hands.

She's gotten blocked or at least rejected back a few times.

So I like the adjustment she made.

Stay high.

She was able to get a kill that time.

And another one makes it 2319 Western Christian just two points away now and good serving.

We're seeing out of the senior libero Breslyn Kooima.

[APPLAUSE] With Options that one will make it Set point.

Western Christian is [APPLAUSE] Kooiman knocks it in.

[APPLAUSE] One more point for Western Christian.

Cherokee trying to fend it off.

There it is.

A Side out.

How impressive is Jose Hull though?

Just looking at her stats.

285 kills.

That's a lot for a freshman.

Stepping in as a freshman role on such a storied program as well.

Fantastic coaches to get her ready for this moment, and teammates who believe in her [LAUGHTER] .

[LAUGHTER] And she sure helps in this set.

One win.

Cherokee races out to the early lead.

Western Christian does not panic.

They come back to win it.

Final score is Western Christian winning it.

We'll be back with the second set from Xtream Arena.

You're watching Iowa PBS.

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With the historic buildings of Iowa collection.

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Clear Lake, Davenport, and Council Bluffs.

Statewide treasures.

The entire series is available with Iowa PBS Passport today.

♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ Well, here's a look at something unique and special.

Another example of something that you get to do at state.

It's called the Players Lounge, a staple at many Iowa girls team tournaments.

It's a place for teams to relax, hang out prior to and following competition.

They got it all.

They're watching our broadcast right now.

They can play games.

They can watch live matches as they happen inside Xtream Arena.

Great idea as they do everything perfect here to celebrate the Iowa girl, the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union, Eric Braley and Beth West.

That was an entertaining first set, but how did we get here?

How did we get to this championship match?

Well, Western Christian defeated Roland-Story, then Humboldt, which we got to talk about Humboldt because they have been incredible the last couple of years.

Cherokee beat Dike-new Hartford in the quarterfinals and then avenged three losses to MOC-Floyd Valley three times.

MOC-Floyd Valley beat Cherokee, but when it mattered most, Cherokee in the semifinals gets the win to get here.

What else is unique about this bracket, Beth?

You know, I just wanted to shout out Wilton because head coach Brenda Grunder 41 seasons, 41 leading the Beavers.

And so just really fantastic that in her last season she was able to take the Beavers to the state tournament.

Great record.

And so congrats to head coach Brenda Grunder.

And that's ten more years than Tammi Veerbeek, who has been here 31 years as the head coach, which is incredible.

As she looks on with 1231 victories.

Folks, there are so many incredible administrators and coaches across the great state of Iowa and so many different sports who are really educating and getting the most out of these student athletes, and especially if you do it 41 years, she could write a series of novels.

I'm sure about her journey and experiences.

Pretty special.

I read that Coach Grunder coached moms of women who now have girls who are in the program, right?

So I [LAUGHTER] coached the mom and the daughter all within the same program and multiple trips to state.

So it's been a successful run for the Wilton Beavers.

Well, let's see how Cherokee responds because they were feeling real good out of the gates, right?

Had the lead in the driver's seat, but then Western Christian wins.

And now Western Christian leads two.

Nothing.

There's the first point for Cherokee.

Cherokee had three blocks in that opening set to Western Christian's one.

Hitting percentage just 162 for Cherokee 12 kills, six errors, 37 attempts, and for Western Christian, just three more kills at 15.

Same number of attack errors in 38 attempts, hitting 237.

The real standout player has been Morgan Kooiman seven kills, hitting 357 and Deidra Doeden for Cherokee.

Five kills hitting 400.

In the black and gold is Cherokee, and in the maroon is number one Western Christian.

The [APPLAUSE] officials say.

The [APPLAUSE] Wolfpack gets the point.

Let's take another look at this bat.

Going for that deep corner in the push right on the line.

Hard to see, but the Up official made the overriding call that it was out.

These officials [APPLAUSE] work hard to get all season long voted to be able to officiate at the state tournament [APPLAUSE] at these state championship matches, we always try and highlight it throughout each of the state championship games or matches, because we need officials at every level, don't [APPLAUSE] we?

[APPLAUSE] We do.

It can be a tough job, but very gratifying and oh so important to have quality officials who care about the sport.

Quick set.

Middle defensively.

There.

Back set defensively.

There.

Tough angle.

And it went outside the antenna.

The official was right over it.

And it's an early advantage.

And that will lead to an early time-out for Cherokee.

Western Christian up 7 to 1 as we reach our first time out here in the second set in the class 3A championship match.

Well, stay connected with Iowa PBS sports no matter where you're watching from, join the conversation.

We want to hear from you.

Follow us on Facebook and ATS and use hashtag Iowa PBS sports to enjoy high school sports with other fans.

Wolfpack so far in set two controlling the net.

They're doing a good job getting blocked touches, keeping it on the side of the Braves and the Braves just have to keep covering and bringing back offense.

But time and time again, Western Christian just solid defense in that front row with their block.

Volleyball is a game of momentum.

Beth, what type of strategy do you have to slow momentum or get it back?

One one strategy is call a time-out, right?

Yes.

Time-out is absolutely one of the strategies and it works often.

And then just reminding your team get one point and hey, let's celebrate big.

Let's bring some excitement.

That's infectious as well.

Well, it just seems like almost anything Cherokee sends over is getting dug up though.

Another hitting error and it's been a real tough second set for Cherokee here.

Now down by seven.

They give credit to the freshman Josie Hall.

Why she's been serving this whole time.

And another point for Western [APPLAUSE] Christian.

Kooiman on the slide attack.

Running behind the setter.

Great footwork we see here.

Slide down the line.

Celebrate.

Another good serve by your freshman.

Josie Hall might earn herself on the all tournament team just for what she's doing behind the service line.

I cannot imagine being a ninth grader and being in this situation, having such a huge impact on this championship match.

She carries herself in such a polished and composed manner too, right?

Celebrate, but then brings it back down.

So just handling it so well.

She looks over to the bench.

And serves another good one.

Handled well though by Cherokee.

They needed that.

They got it.

And taking care of business.

Emma Ohlendorf, the senior outside hitter who's had a spectacular career.

She goes to the sideline.

Here's Mortenson.

Joust at the net.

Wolfpack will just not let anything hit the ground.

It seems like.

But sticking with it, Deidra Doeden and head coach Kerry-lugar looking on.

Blocks are one of the things that can build momentum, that can have that infectious energy that can spread.

Let's see if the Braves can get another one.

[APPLAUSE] One handed up, not only to get it up, but to control it one handed set.

I see you.

What a play by Addy Wolfswinkel.

Fantastic defensive coverage and Wolfswinkel with the heads up.

Hey, let me just get a touch on this.

Gets it up to her hitter.

That's awesome.

Do not see that happen very often in the sport of volleyball.

Back set.

Slide popped over.

Well, she saved it, but she could not [APPLAUSE] stop her momentum.

She's going 100 miles an hour and it takes her underneath the net.

It's a safety thing.

You can't have players sliding under the net.

But I love her pursuit.

She didn't just let it drop and be like, I probably would have slid under the net.

No, go for it.

Maybe you will.

Maybe you won't.

I love that she went after it.

Right down the line and it sails out of bounds.

Love the idea.

By [APPLAUSE] Doeden but just not executed.

Exactly how she wanted to.

And one of the reasons why is the defense has been stellar for the Wolfpack.

Western Christian won the first set 2520.

They've been in control here in the second set, currently leading [LAUGHTER] by nine.

[APPLAUSE] Make it ten.

A double digit lead at 14 to 4.

We saw so many blocks as we look at this replay here.

The block isn't just about stopping the ball every time a touch slows it for the defense, you can funnel the ball to teammates.

If it's well placed.

Any [LAUGHTER] touch can be helpful at the net.

Absolutely.

I like the funneling option that you brought up.

If you have an attacker who you know, hey, they are fantastic.

Going cross court, take away their cross court, set up your block to take away their cross court, make that hitter hit line or vice versa.

Right?

Move your block as the hitter moves and then take away maybe their strong tendency to make them hit other shots.

Beth West and Eric Braley broadcasting the 3A championship here on Iowa PBS.

The block was there, but so much strength to get it through the block.

Relentless power out of the junior Morgan Kooiman.

Coach loves it.

She's excited.

She is Kooiman just a junior with over a thousand career kills.

How many will she end with when her career is done?

At Western Christian [APPLAUSE] an attack air.

They have one time-out remaining now, trailing by 11 is number 11 Kooiman to serve it again.

Service ace.

She can do it all.

Kooiman front row.

Middle blocking and kills.

It's so tough from the service line.

Blocked again.

Needing that and every little bit helps with the confidence of we can do this.

Cherokee needs to believe the coaches trying to instill that confidence and belief, but the players need to believe it as well.

Love the effort.

Free ball over the net.

Western Christian.

Popped up in most gyms.

That's maybe hitting the ceiling.

And it's another block.

And it's another [APPLAUSE] point.

[APPLAUSE] We talked about head coach Tammi Veerbeek.

She became Iowa's career leader in victories when she won her 1,228th career match, surpassing Waverly-Shell Rock Yvonne Wooden in the Wolf Packs regional quarterfinal.

So it happened recently, too.

There she is, looking on, and she's the type of coach she might be doing it another 20 years.

[LAUGHTER] Absolutely.

I don't know why she wouldn't.

But when you're talking about amazing careers in the state of Iowa for volleyball, and you bring up the names Yvonne Wooden and Tammi Veerbeek, and we've mentioned Coach Grunder and all these others.

It's just such a storied history in a lot of programs who have had steady leadership, who are able to build successful programs and sustain them.

Tradition among those schools, for sure.

Well, time out on the court for over 50 years.

Market to Market, it's been the news and commodity market information source for anyone who lives and works in rural America.

Joining my friend Paul Yeager every Friday night at 8 p.m.

And Sundays at 12:30 p.m.

For Market to Market.

The weekly Journal of Rural America.

Or stream online anytime.

So much great programing on Iowa PBS.

It's not just high school sports, even though it is the home for boys and girls, high school sports championships.

I'm excited to do some high school football championships in Cedar Falls in the Uni Dome coming up soon here in November.

November's just fun.

You have the championships of the fall sports, but then you're about to roll out the basketballs, get wrestling going.

You know cross country just had their championships in Fort Dodge.

The culmination of one season and the start of another.

Absolutely.

It all comes together in November.

And I love Thanksgiving food.

So I'm just going to throw that in there too.

You know, nothing to do with sports at all.

But yay for Thanksgiving.

Don't get me started on what I would put on my plate.

Multiple plates.

Can you give me a top two or is that too tough?

I kind of like the stuffing, but then you throw the gravy on everything.

Yes.

It's more like a [LAUGHTER] casserole.

[LAUGHTER] When I'm going through the line.

A true [LAUGHTER] Midwestern response right there.

Give me a casserole.

It's like church potlucks are the best.

All right.

Western Christian now needs four points, and they have just had their foot on the gas ever from the start.

And that's a tough thing to jump out to an early lead and to keep that intensity.

They have not let up at all.

We talked about how they're well disciplined.

They're well coached.

And that shines through just like you said, when they can sustain it and not let up and think, oh, we got this under control, let's just ease up a bit.

No foot on the gas pedal.

Love to see how some of these schools practice to put, you know, pressure packed situations on these student athletes where it's, you know, first to two wins and just trying to make it as realistic as possible with no fans on a Tuesday night at four, and 430 in the afternoon to to prepare themselves to lay the foundation for this moment.

The Lobero Ireland Kennedy, the junior serving for Cherokee popped up.

Awesome [APPLAUSE] hustle.

[APPLAUSE] That's Eddie Wolfswinkel diving into press row runs out of room and now Breslyn Kooima to serve.

[APPLAUSE] Western Christian won the first set 2520.

Nice play there by Deidra Doeden.

Doeden has.

I believe that's her ninth kill.

Yes, it is.

And we've seen those nine kills from a variety of areas, mainly in the middle.

But she'll swing on that left pin and run behind the setter as well, just depending on what they're running from.

An offense.

They're super quick out of the middle, but wow, how did Western Christian get it up?

We play on and it ends with the block.

So Doeden doesn't get the kill.

She gets the block.

And even though they're down double figures, you see that intensity?

That's what we call an impact player impacting offense, defense, every area of the game.

Doeden is going to make her mark.

Again, a Division one recruit heading to Wichita State next year.

Tipped it down [LAUGHTER] but didn't hit the court for a point setter dump.

Trying to catch the Wolfpack off guard, but nothing.

They're prepared for everything.

They are such scramble plays, so much hustle.

You keep thinking, oh, the Braves got it.

They got a point.

Wolfpack relentless.

The senior Malausky.

And another point.

And that brings up set point in what has been a clinic for Western Christian making.

Coach Veerbeek very proud.

From serving to passing to digging to blocking to hitting, Western Christian has looked like a state championship team here in this second set.

Ohlendorf on the right side for Cherokee quieting the crowd for a little bit here with her tip for a kill.

[APPLAUSE] There it is, 2512 is the final score as Western Christian needs just one more win in order to win another state title.

They're chasing their 20th state title would tie Dubuque Wahlert Catholic for most all time, as it's been their 26th consecutive appearance at state.

26th straight semifinals.

An incredible performance for a school built on volleyball tradition.

Back with the third set for the 3A championship right after this here on Iowa PBS.

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This week, the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union held their third annual Volleyball Future Champions Youth Clinic Series here in Coralville, led by varsity high school coaches from around the state, the clinic gives 125 middle school girls a taste of the state tournament experience, with expanded capacity and overwhelming demand.

The event sold out in under two minutes.

I can't believe it.

You'll want to be first in line next year.

It's the youth clinic put on by the Iowa Girls Union.

25, 2020 512 Cherokee and Western Christian for the 3A Championship match.

Any stats that are interesting as we've been through two sets so far here.

Beth.

The Western Christian, they have three blocks, but Cherokee has five for Western Christian, though we've talked about how they're getting a lot of block touches and also rejections.

So not always the stuff as a team.

Western Christian hitting 250, which is pretty good through two sets and you've got six service aces.

Wow.

Yeah, looking at that first set, there were six times the score was tied, three different lead changes in the second set.

Western Christian got the first point.

They never looked back.

It felt like almost immediately they built the lead to 7 or 8, [APPLAUSE] and then it was all Wolfpack.

From there on out.

It's a must win scenario for Cherokee against six seniors, a school record 32 wins this year, their last two trips to state ended in the quarterfinals in 2023.

The Braves were number two and lost to Union community in 2025.

Humboldt beat them in route to the title.

As Cherokee avenged the semifinals, where they beat [LAUGHTER] MOC-Floyd Valley, a school that beat them three times during the year.

MOC-Floyd Valley won on September 19th.

MOC-Floyd Valley one.

On October 10th, and MOC-Floyd Valley one on October 15th.

But guess what happened yesterday?

Cherokee the number six seed, was victorious and that's why they're playing Western Christian for the title.

[APPLAUSE] Great defensive play by Cherokee there.

There in the black and gold.

Well Western Christian is in the maroon.

Neither team letting the ball hit the court fighting hard.

This is the longest rally we've seen here in this class.

3A championship match.

I feel like it's been going on 3 or 4 minutes already, and there it is.

And guess who wins the point?

Wolfpack.

They just keep bringing defense and touches.

Cherokee had multiple digs where Western Christian had [LAUGHTER] amazing attacks, and some of those.

The Braves just took over on one right there, just getting the ball up, but Western Christian able to sustain what the Braves have brought and wow, taking care of that over dig with authority.

A lot of power behind that one.

It is now 3 to 1.

As we look at the season that Western Christian has had again, they play not only three A schools, they play a lot of four A and 5A schools.

Their last loss came on October 3rd.

So over a month ago, who did they lose to?

Waukee Northwest.

And it was a close one.

And they also lost that same day to who?

Dallas Center-Grimes.

So the team that won the state championship in class 5A in the state runner up was who this 3A Western Christian team was playing.

You said it earlier in the broadcast.

You can learn a lot from a loss.

You absolutely can.

And I love the approach that they're going to play anyone.

We'll play the big schools, we'll play the small schools.

We're here to compete.

Let's listen.

Inside the Cherokee huddle.

We don't need to say anything.

About how this is our last game.

It's not the that's not the thing right now.

Right now, we need to work on the case pass.

We need to pick it up.

Hit needs to get up.

Our block needs to get up.

I don't care if you like.

I don't care what you have to do.

You need to get touches on the block.

Okay.

They're they're working our back row a lot.

We need to get touches on our [LAUGHTER] block.

[LAUGHTER] And that's me too, you know?

And then I'm gonna go up and I'm gonna finish.

I'm gonna work because our back row is working right now.

So right now it's our front row.

Front row.

We gotta.

Finish, we gotta finish.

That's where our head is at right now is we're not locked in.

We're not focusing on the ball when we got the ball.

Okay, do the job.

Take a breath.

Okay.

Go out and win this point right now and then get back and go to town.

Okay?

Come on, come on, let's go.

Hey, hey, we're not out of this, okay?

We can do it.

We're in it.

Let's go.

We got it.

Family on three.

One.

Two.

Three.

Family.

Step up.

Take a breath.

And challenging the front row to get touches.

Slow down.

This Western Christian attack.

She gave credit to the back row.

Our back row is working hard.

We're getting digs, but we got to finish it.

We got to terminate to get points.

There's a termination right there.

Coach.

The words come out of her mouth.

It goes into the ears of the student athletes.

They step onto the court and they execute exactly what she wanted.

5 to 2 is Kendyl Fox the senior, one of those six seniors to serve.

Perfect pass, perfect set.

Got a good swing on it.

Western Christian a lot of good attackers and options with the ball right now.

And that's a good one.

And it's down for the point.

Kooiman turning it back to the left, away from the double block and is able to keep it in on that sideline.

6 to 2.

Western Christian with the serve.

[LAUGHTER] [LAUGHTER] Wow.

How did that not hit the ground?

It was a good decision.

By Doeden.

And then sometimes you just got to keep throwing stuff over until something sticks.

They thought they got the first point, but a pancake to pop it up.

But then the second attack successful, bringing a little bit more power on that left side swing.

A three point lead for Western Christian here in the 3A final.

And in the third set, a must win situation here for Cherokee rotating in.

Will be the libero Ireland Kennedy Kooiman gets set.

There's the deep breath, tosses the ball up.

Good communication on both sides of the net.

Off the block.

Down for the point.

So much power.

You can tip it over the block.

You can hit it around the block.

She went right to the block and it's another point.

Well, I did some research on the history of Western Christian, a private Christian school in Hull, Iowa, founded in 1919 in a three story house on Main Street.

Hull Iowa.

Not a large city.

They enroll about 300 students from more than 30 churches and communities.

And Coach Veerbeek right there.

She credits a big youth program that takes time.

It takes money.

It takes commitment as the source of depth that keeps really feeding the success of the Western Christian volleyball tradition.

Hull Iowa.

About five hours from Coralville up in northwest Iowa.

Wow.

And Cherokee about four hours.

Also in northwest Iowa.

So a little battle.

We told you they're in the same conference, but the Battle of Northwest Iowa right here.

And these fans, the arena is full.

They travel well.

Pizza Ranch restaurant started in Hull, Iowa.

That's a little fun fact as well.

Western Iowa so many unique, awesome things.

And yeah, we announced Clear Creek Amana that had about a five minute drive in the 4A championship to get here.

These schools are getting on a bus and driving 4 to 5 hours to get here.

Well worth it to compete for a state title, a four point difference between Cherokee and Western Christian, and a must win scenario [APPLAUSE] for Cherokee.

Here.

[APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE] Western Christian hitting 258 [APPLAUSE] as a team while Cherokee held under 100.

It's like a batting average in baseball or softball.

258 is good, but.055 for Cherokee not very good, and a lot of the reason is that front row, back row defense that Western Christian is putting up.

Good body control from Wolfswinkel for the Braves tight set, but she was able to tip it, keep it out of the net and score a point.

Finding an opening on the floor.

[LAUGHTER] [LAUGHTER] One thing that we've seen here in this third set much longer rallies, meaning it takes a lot of back and forth before a point is scored.

Yes, Russell seeing a lot more points for Cherokee as that second set, the only mustered 12 points total.

And right now they already have seven as number seven to serve in Ireland Kennedy.

The libero.

Quickly down for a point and a side out to Western Christian and checking out of the lineup is Kennedy van Hull, a sophomore.

Van't Hul has been phenomenal.

Six two middle, just a sophomore, but brings experience from last year's state tournament.

Being on the team and a good kill.

But the response even better there.

From Cherokee.

You can tell that connection has been just worked on time and time again as Doeden is getting the ball fed to her exactly where she wants and needs it to make a [APPLAUSE] good attack on the ball.

Western Christian Josie Hall, the freshman he strung together a nice run behind the service line in the second set.

Well off the net is De Jager, a tremendous outside hitter, junior.

Good smart play.

That's alley Timmerman.

Coach Luger, I love her poise.

She's so calm.

Doesn't get too high.

Doesn't get too low.

So important if the coaches getting stressed out.

I'm assuming that the student athletes are going to feed off that.

It's going to permeate throughout the bench and onto the court.

So amazing.

Composed composure from the head coach and a great service ace as well.

Down the line and down for a.13 ten here in the third set.

[APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE] Hadley Dekkers to serve.

Dekkers on the year.

She's played in 102 sets heading into the state.

998 assists.

Now [LAUGHTER] over 1000.

And that will drop in.

Smart decision.

In between two back row defenders, when in doubt, hit it where they're not.

Make the defenders move.

But that one had pace.

It had speed.

So it got there quickly.

Nice kill coming from that left side.

Let's see what Deidra Doeden can do behind the service line.

How about a service ace.

That's probably the best thing you can ask for.

And now it's just [APPLAUSE] one point.

Remember that early time-out?

Her team has responded.

Let's see how Western Christian with the game hanging in the balance at the halfway point, responds.

Got a point.

It just hit off barely and down for a point.

Cuts it sharp there.

The block was up.

Cherokee brought two blockers, but Kooiman sees it, cuts it across from that right side.

Ooh.

Real tough as it was going up for a set.

But the [APPLAUSE] ball just kind of got up in the jet stream and traveled over.

And now Western Christian leads by three.

Morgan Kooiman to serve.

Service error.

And in comes Marin [LAUGHTER] Malausky.

Having fun on the sideline again.

If you're not having fun on the final day of high school volleyball in the state, when you're playing for a state title, I don't know when you're going to have fun.

Absolutely true.

Someone's got to bring the energy, the crowd, the bench.

Love it.

Into the net.

And another serve coming.

Ten points away are the Wolfpack.

Feels like a long road ahead of them though still.

Overpass.

Big swing but into the net.

Maybe a little intimidation factors.

The block was set up.

The timing not right.

And we don't see a lot of time-outs called by Western Christian.

But Tammi Veerbeek sees something she doesn't like as this thing's tied at 15 apiece.

Let's listen in to the legendary Hall of Fame coach Tammi Veerbeek.

She's going for one right now.

Okay.

And if you're backpedaling, just throw her a nice one and then cut it.

Hey, what's that?

Three low or what?

Yeah.

Okay.

Make sure you get it up there so she [LAUGHTER] can read.

[LAUGHTER] Hey, 15.

15, ten points, girls.

Everything you got to be state champs.

Let's not take this for right now.

Side out.

Let's go guys.

Heck.

123 pack.

Here you go.

Hey, everything you got?

Find your hitter.

Find your hitter.

Thank you to all of our coaches that allow them to put the microphone on them.

So we can bring you, the viewers of Iowa PBS, the true sights and sounds of what's happening.

I always wonder, what is the coach saying at a time like this?

Well, now we know.

And thank you, Coach Veerbeek as she throws some encouragement, some strategy as fans of all ages are watching this exciting class, 3A championship, if you're just tuning in, hey, what's been going on today?

Waukee Northwest won another state championship in class 5A they defeated Dallas Center-Grimes.

Yeah, one one in class 4A it was Norwalk winning a thriller in five over Clear Creek Amana and right now we're in class three A after this, there's two more championships that will happen.

Well, a lead for Cherokee here.

It's been very by the bracket.

Right.

We got number one Waukee Northwest number one Norwalk.

And right now number one Western Christian is ahead two zero.

Cherokee wants to change that.

But so far the rankings have been very accurate.

How about number six?

Cherokee up by two.

And mind you, this is coming out of a Western Christian Time-out.

Yes, exactly.

Nice job from Cherokee.

Locked in being aggressive, pushing ahead here.

They know they have to have this set.

Three points in a row.

Coach Veerbeek said.

It's a race to ten.

Just ten more points to become a champion.

What can she do to try and get a side out?

Because that's what it starts with.

Meanwhile, Cherokee foot on the gas.

How about another one?

Oh, buckets.

Ferin Malausky serving darts over the net.

The senior setter stepping up when she needs to.

When it matters most, and a four point lead for Cherokee here in a must win third set.

Her serve has pace.

It has float, but the location she's serving targets and serving in between players.

So she's making Western Christian reach for it.

Want to see the Wolfpack move their feet?

Communicate well.

See if you can get your platform behind the ball rather than reaching outside your body so often, because they're kind of just shanking off the court at this point.

A five zero run here by Cherokee, they lead by four.

Strategy, this one far from over.

Cherokee out of the Lakes Conference.

You have an outstanding Western Christian as you see.

Excuse me.

Out of the Siouxland conference.

Also out Western Christian out of the Siouxland Conference as well as these two schools very familiar with each other geographically and getting prepared for the most important five minutes of the season right here.

Cherokee.

Showing their strength with the block again, not necessarily getting a full block, but getting a touch on it.

Western Christian over the block.

Great effort.

And finally, finally Western Christian gets the point that they need.

They didn't come easy though did it?

It did not.

That was back and forth.

And they went with a very deep shot.

It could have been out of bounds.

But I like the aggressive nature of the Cherokee defense.

They had to play it.

It was too close to let it drop.

Blocked down.

And that's actually going to fall for a point.

So now it's a two zero run for Western Christian.

And that pulls them within two.

And they still hold serve.

Maddyn De Jager the junior.

Kind of stutter step backwards.

And the swing ball sails out of bounds.

If you're keeping track at home that's three in a row for the Wolfpack.

But hey Cherokee still has the lead here.

Momentum can change so fast.

It's a sport of runs.

Any team can flip it at any moment.

Four points in a row in the second and final time-out.

Called by Cherokee.

They were cruising.

Things were looking good, but now we're tied at 19.

Let's listen in to Coach Luger in their huddle.

Take care of it.

Starts with the pass though.

Know where we're at on that inline.

Can you control.

Make sure we're getting transition hand on top and pound.

Okay.

We're fine.

Okay.

Come out with control.

Get it passed.

She runs that float down the back.

Okay.

Stay behind the ball.

Pass forward and put it down.

Let's go [APPLAUSE] right now.

Hey, I am out of time-outs.

You gotta get it together.

Okay?

Let's go.

Hey, Billy.

On three.

One two.

[APPLAUSE] Three.

[APPLAUSE] Go, go!

You got it, Beth.

Let's revisit our keys to the match and see where we are right now at this critical juncture at 1919 here in the third.

You know, we talked about Cherokee starting on the attack.

We want them to be fearless.

We want them to be aggressive.

They're doing that throughout this set.

Three.

They definitely need to finish these final points.

And for Western Christian stay disciplined, carry out and execute the game plan.

They know what to do in these situations.

Stay calm and finish it.

Beth West are amazing analysts here for the 5A, 4A and 3A Championships.

We appreciate her knowledge.

She brings to the broadcast here a service air, but then quickly getting the ball back is Josie Hall, the freshman playing like a super senior out there.

What a fantastic swing at the left pin.

She turns it down the line with power.

Josie Hall.

No returning that one.

Two points in a row for Western Christian.

And now they surge ahead after they dug themselves quite a hole now leading by one.

I love the grit.

I love the fight in Cherokee, one of the great six seniors, Emma Ohlendorf gets the point.

Ohlendorf swinging away, bringing power, getting after it.

Still.

Their fighters, they've got grit.

They're going to keep battling.

Cherokee in the black and gold Western Christian number one in the maroon.

She got it.

You can slide into that.

That's okay.

We play on tip.

Deep breath battle at the net.

What an entertaining rally.

Wow.

How about that effort leaving it all on the line.

Cherokee.

Let's look at this.

Smashing [LAUGHTER] into the wall.

This is.

Why team of chance.

This is why we say pursue every ball.

Every ball you pursue.

You never know what you can track down.

Great job.

And now a block at the net makes it 2321.

Cherokee two points away.

The work's not done.

The hay's not in the barn quite yet.

Western Christian fighting tough.

And now they pull within one.

This one might be because they gotta win [APPLAUSE] by two.

Might be first to 30.

Wow.

[APPLAUSE] Bring us some extra points.

We'll take it.

Good pass.

Nice set.

Big swing.

The block at the net.

Back set off.

The hands [APPLAUSE] kept alive again.

We play [LAUGHTER] on tough shot.

[LAUGHTER] Back was to the net.

To the back row.

Sending it over.

Setting it up.

Hammering it down.

And we are tied again.

Coach Verbeek can't believe it.

Neither can I, coach.

Look at that.

Wow.

That is full extension.

All out effort.

We're tied at zero.

First to two wins.

Good hang time.

The athleticism, the hang time.

It paid off.

And the senior Deidra Doeden brings up set point.

They only need one more.

Addy Wolfswinkel serving.

[APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE] And we are tied again.

The fans are loving it.

First to [APPLAUSE] two wins.

This third set.

You haven't tuned in to the Class 3A championship match here on Iowa PBS Cherokee and Western Christian battling it out.

Western Christian won the first two sets.

Cherokee playing with a lot of heart right now.

[APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE] Quick set, middle.

And now it is match point for Western Christian.

They fought off set point and now they only need one more point to be your class 3A champion Josie Hall, the freshman.

Here's the set.

The tip.

The save.

The swing and it's down [APPLAUSE] in 2026.

Western Christian does it [APPLAUSE] again in thrilling fashion.

Another championship title for Tammi Veerbeek and the Western Christian School District.

[APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE] I.

[APPLAUSE] Here's the look again.

All out effort.

Both sides of the net.

And the celebration [APPLAUSE] by the Wolfpack.

After the final point.

2624.

What a thriller!

Pure joy from the Wolfpack.

Nothing to hang your heads about from Cherokee.

That was such a fight.

I love the effort from the Braves they made the Wolfpack earn this in set three.

Seven ties, four lead changes in that third set alone.

So exciting.

Let's go to the public address announcer and hand out some awards.

Fans, here's your 2026 class 3A all [APPLAUSE] tournament team from Western Christian Josie Hall.

[APPLAUSE] From Cherokee Deidra Doeden.

[APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE] From Humboldt.

[APPLAUSE] Adelynn Goodell.

[APPLAUSE] From Humboldt.

Addie Waldorf.

[APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE] From MOC-Floyd Valley.

[APPLAUSE] Brielle Hoegh.

[APPLAUSE] From Cherokee.

Addy Wolfswinkel.

[APPLAUSE] And your 2026 class 3A.

All tournament team captain.

From Western Christian Morgan Kooiman.

[APPLAUSE] Morgan Kooiman had 17 kills to lead everyone here in this class.

3A Championship match.

She [APPLAUSE] hit 400.

A tremendous individual performance.

Congratulations to all members of the class three, all tournament team.

Remember, volleyball arrived at the IGHSAUS eighth sanctioned sport in 1970 and never looked back.

Today it stands as the organization's most popular sport.

Over 11,000 athletes competing in this season alone.

As we celebrate the 100th year of the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union, founded in 1927.

And we're going to be celebrating this all year long, more individual and team honors to be handed out on the court.

Now, producers would like to present the Top Producer award for the 3A Championship match.

Presenting the award is Taylor Anderson of the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union.

This year's top producer of the 3A Championship match is from Western Christian [APPLAUSE] Morgan Kooiman.

[APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE] Fans introducing [APPLAUSE] your class 3A runner up the Cherokee Braves and head coach Tara Shuger.

[APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE] And your class 3A state Champions for 2026.

Coach Tammi Veerbeek and the Wolfpack of Western Christian.

[APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE] Well, the Western Christian alum took over the program in 1999 and another state title for coach Veerbeek.

For her outstanding performance.

Throughout the championship match and for leading her team to victory.

You need to complete the class 3A bracket as champions.

Morgan Kooiman [APPLAUSE] .

Thanks to Big Star for their support.

Final thoughts.

My good friend Beth West.

What an exciting start!

5A 4A 3A Western Christian.

Getting it done and Veerbeek celebrating.

But there's more volleyball to be had.

20 titles for Western Christian.

We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.

An exciting 3A championship match.

We'll take a short break and be back with the 2A Championship Beckman Catholic against Hinton set to start about 445 right here on Iowa PBS.

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