The Ankeny Christian Academy volleyball team took its first step toward a fourth state championship in five years on Wednesday night.
The top-ranked Eagles cruised to a 25-10, 25-11, 25-15 victory over visiting Exira-EHK in a Class 1A regional quarterfinal. The Spartans finished the season with an 11-16 record.
“We played well,” said ACA coach Michele Quick, whose team improved to 36-2 on the season. “We were very smooth and in control.”
Havanna Dolbeare led the way for ACA, pounding 17 of the team’s 33 kills. She had just three hitting errors in 26 total attacks for a .538 hitting percentage.
Breeze Bentz and Maleah Porter each had four kills, while Gabbie Quick and Dani Craighead each added three. Quick also dished out 23 assists and racked up five of the team’s 16 aces.
Karmen Lamberts also had five aces for the Eagles, who completed 69-of-74 serves (93.2 percent) on the night. Katelyn Weathers was a perfect 14-of-14 from behind the line and added three aces.
Liv Nehring recorded a pair of blocks to lead the defensive effort. Avlyn Davis had 14 digs, Weathers chipped in 12, Bentz and Quick each had nine, and Dolbeare added eight.
It was the eighth consecutive win for ACA, which will now host CAM (15-10) in a regional semifinal on Monday at 7 p.m. The Cougars advanced with a 27-25, 28-26, 25-17 win at Earlham.
The winner of Monday’s match will face Mormon Trail (29-3) or Stanton (16-19) in the regional final on Wednesday at a neutral site.
