×

No. 1 Redhawks strike down reigning state champs Nikes, clipped by No. 2 Orioles

North Tama senior Shae Ewoldt (6) goes for the kill against 2021 state champs Burlington Notre Dame on Saturday, Sept. 17 in Sprinvgville while her fellow Redhawk team co-captain Lainey Willenbring (1) looks on. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
Redhawks co-captain, senior Jadyn Rausch (2) sets up the ball for sophomore Briar Blake (16) during North Tama’s match with reigning state champs, fifth-ranked Burlington Notre Dame on Saturday, Sept. 17 in Springville. Also pictured defensive specialist/outside hitter Kylie Calderwood (8). PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
North Tama outside hitter Shae Ewoldt (6) sends the ball over over the net against Burlington Notre Dame on Saturday, Sept. 17 in Springville. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
Redhawks defensive specialist Izzy Hallett (foreground) waits for the Nikes’ serve alongside teammate Kylie Calderwood on Saturday, Sept. 17, in Springville. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
Redhwaks middle hitter Breanna Sebetka (3) spikes the ball into Nikes’ territory on Saturday, Sept. 17 in Springville. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
North Tama head coach Channing Halstead watches from the sidelines as the her first-ranked Redhawks take on the 2021 state champions Burlington Notre Dame on Saturday, Sept. 17 in Springville. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Following a stunning loss, 2-1, to unranked North Cedar last Saturday, Sept. 18 in their opening match at the Springville Volleyball Invitational, the No. 1 Redhawks regrouped and refocused enough to take down the reigning 2021 state champions Burlington Notre Dame, 2-0, before later succumbing in the championship match to the host school, No. 2 (at the time) Orioles.

It was a challenging day of volleyball for North Tama as they faced several top-ranked schools all itching for the opportunity to take down the Class 1A first-ranked team from Traer.

The opening round loss (21-13, 18-21, 15-12) to the North Cedar Knights was attributed to a high number of errors – echoing the trouble the Redhawks experienced in their first loss of the season to Grundy Center back on Sept. 3.

Following the morale-sacking defeat, the Redhawks then faced No. 5 Burlington Notre Dame – coming off a stunning loss of their own to the unranked Monticello Panthers. But in a display of fierce, pertinacious play – in volley after volley, the Redhawks made countless incredible saves – and excellent blocking, North Tama proved their worth, beating the reigning state champs in two sets (21-13, 23-21).

North Tama immediately followed up the win by taking down Monticello (2-1) – ending pool play in first.

In the semifinals, the Redhawks faced Cascade – winning rather handily 2-0 – before facing 1A No. 2 Springville for the championship match. North Tama certainly put up a fight in those thrilling two sets but ultimately lost to the Orioles (25-23, 25-23).

After a conference game at home with Colo-NESCO on Tuesday this week, North Tama will get a bit of breathing room before facing another conference foe BCLUW at home on Tuesday, Sept. 27 followed by a conference road game with Collins-Maxwell on Sept. 29. The Redhawks were 16-3 on the season heading into the week of Sept. 19.