The North Tama Redhawks celebrate their 3-0 victory over the Cedar Ridge Christian Regents on Oct. 29 at Waterloo West High School during the Class 1A Region 3 final. From left, Lily Sell (17), Kahlia Even (back left), Cayleigh Heller (back center), Kruiz Ewoldt (9), Alaney Sienknecht (back right), and libero Addison Hochstetler (4). PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

TRAER – For the sixth time in program history, North Tama volleyball is state-bound and in search of its first state title after thrashing Cedar Ridge Christian 3-0 (25-12, 25-17, 25-20) last Wednesday, Oct. 29, in the Class 1A Region 3 championship match played at Waterloo West High School.

The Redhawks efficiently shut out the Regents that evening to punch their ticket to the state tournament, playing discerningly even as Cedar Ridge Christian seemed to feed off the electricity in the crowd, growing bolder with each set.

“Wednesday night we executed our game plan PERFECTLY,” Redhawk head coach Channing Halstead told the newspaper in an email. “We stayed aggressive from the service line, and distributed the ball pin to pin effectively. Playing a team for the third time is always challenging, and we rose to the occasion! Compliments to Cedar Ridge for continuing to compete through the end of the night. They kept challenging us and forced us out of our comfort zone at times.”

From the get-go, the Redhawks were on fire, displaying what can only be described as a happy hunger against the Regents. North Tama was ready to roll, swiftly taking the first set by retaining the lead from beginning to end.

The second set opened with the Redhawks capturing the first point via a long, exhilarating rally to seemingly set the stage for a repeat of the first set, but then something clicked for the Regents and they began to fight back – staying just one to two points behind until North Tama surged, racking up five unanswered points to arrive at 15-9. Cedar Ridge Christian was unable to mount a proper comeback after that and the Redhawks ran away with it 25-17 shortly thereafter.

Redhawk senior Cayleigh Heller executes a setter dump (11) against Cedar Ridge Christian on Wednesday, Oct. 29 in Waterloo. Also pictured, Heller’s teammate and fellow senior Brooke Bradley (7). PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

In the final match, the Regents pulled out all the stops – forcing the Redhawks to fight for practically every point – and even pulled ahead for the first time that evening, leading 3-1, 4-3, 10-7, and 11-10. But roughly midway through it became clear, North Tama’s skillset – from all corners of the court – was a wall that could not be scaled.

“When we’re on, we’re tough to beat,” Halstead said. “Being able to have offense from both sides of the court has been a key to our success. Our middles (Brooke Bradley, Kahlia Even, and Jessica Morrison) have done a great job in the middle of the court the last few games shutting down middles from the other team [including Regents Ana Aguilar and Lydia Zekeh]. … [Our middle hitters] don’t get the glory of scoring as many points as [outside hitters] Kruiz [Ewoldt], Alaney [Sienknecht], and Lily [Sell], but they did a fantastic job of getting effective touches and slowing down the ball so we could turn our defense into offense.”

Ewoldt, a senior, led the Redhawks with 15 kills and eight digs, while freshman Sienknecht finished with eight kills and 13 digs. Sophomore Sell added seven kills, two digs, and a block. Junior Even added six kills, senior setter Cayleigh Heller five, and senior Bradley two.

Sophomore Isabelle Gropper totaled 18 assists while Heller added 13 more. Senior libero Addison Hochstetler contributed three.

Sienknecht led the defense with her 13 digs; Hochstetler had eight. Bradley and Sell led the defense at the net with two blocks apiece.

The Redhawk volleyball team celebrates a successful kill by sophomore Lily Sell (11) against Cedar Ridge Christian during the Class 1A Region 3 championship match on Oct. 29 in Waterloo. Also pictured (l-r), Kahlia Even (12), Alaney Sienknecht (13), Isabelle Gropper (14), Brooke Bradley (7; obscured), and Kruiz Ewoldt. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

North Tama racked up 10 aces against the Regents including three from Hochstetler who served 12-for-12 to remain atop the state leaderboard for total aces across all classes this season with 105. Junior Haydn Wilson went 11-for-11 with two aces. Gropper and Sienknecht both contributed a pair of aces apiece; Ewoldt also served an ace.

Ready for a Rematch

No. 3 seed North Tama is set to face No. 6 Sidney (22-9) in a state quarterfinal match tonight, Tuesday, Nov. 4, beginning at 8:25 p.m. at Xtream Arena in Coralville. In 2019, the Redhawks lost to the then top-ranked Sidney Cowgirls 3-1 in the state semifinals – the only time in recent history the two programs have faced one another. Sidney went on to win the Class 1A state championship that year by defeating Wapsie Valley 3-1 in the final.

“It was our first time in the [semifinals] in 2019, so hopefully now we’re a little more seasoned and ready to get farther!” Halstead said via email. “These seniors have been to state [three times] in their career, hopefully that experience pays dividends.”

When asked what has made North Tama volleyball such a dominant force on the courts the last six years, Halstead credited several factors including community support – support which washed the home bleachers in a sea of red last Wednesday in Waterloo.

North Tama freshman outside hitter Alaney Sienknecht (13) blasts the ball over the net against Cedar Ridge Christian on Oct. 29 in Waterloo. Sienknecht finished the three-set match with eight kills and 13 digs. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

“We’re a lot different style of play than many 1A teams as we’re going to make you run pin to pin,” she said. “We have great ball control when we’re in system, which creates offensive opportunities. We have a team, family support, and community that loves volleyball! Having that support makes the job successful, and ultimately enjoyable.”

As the thunderous roar of the spectators rained down on the Redhawks last Wednesday evening in Waterloo, Halstead appeared both ecstatic and emotional while congratulating her players and coaching staff, and later while receiving a long hug from her mom, Madonna Madorin who previously served as assistant volleyball coach for powerhouse Dike-New Hartford.

“There’s not a better feeling in the world,” Halstead could be overheard saying at one point amidst the chaos that enveloped her team immediately after cementing the regional final win. Later, she told the newspaper, “The feeling never gets old, but these kids are beyond focused and ready.”

Editor’s Note: This story will publish in the Friday, Nov. 7 print edition of the newspaper. The Telegraph will feature coverage from the state tournament in the Friday, Nov. 14 edition.

North Tama head coach Channing Halstead gives out high-fives following her team’s triumph over Cedar Ridge Christian on Wednesday, Oct. 29, in the Class 1A Region 3 final played at Waterloo West High School. Halstead is in her 12th season helming the Redhawks who have now qualified half a dozen times for the state tournament under her direction. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Senior outside hitter Kruiz Ewoldt fires off a kill over the net against Cedar Ridge Christian during the Class 1A Region 3 championship match played at Waterloo West High School on Wednesday, Oct. 29. Ewoldt led North Tama to victory over the Regents with 15 kills and eight digs. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Redhawk freshman outside hitter Alaney Sienknecht (13) makes a dig against Cedar Ridge Christian on Oct. 29 in Waterloo. Sienknecht finished the three-set sweep of the Regents with 13 digs and eight kills. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

North Tama's final touch of the match - by senior setter Cayleigh Heller (11) - to win the Class 1A Region 3 championship on Wednesday, Oct, 29, in Waterloo. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

VICTORY! PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Members of the North Tama volleyball team rush the court to embrace one another immediately following the conclusion of the Class 1A Region 3 final on Wednesday, Oct. 29, at Waterloo West High School. The No. 3 Redhawks swept the No. 13 Cedar Ridge Chrstian Regents 3-0 (25-12, 25-17, 25-20) for the regional championship and a sixth trip to the state tournament. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

The North Tama volleyball team pictured following their sweep of Cedar Ridge Christian at Waterloo West High School on Wednesday, Oct. 29, which secured not only the Class 1A Region 3 championship but also a trip to the 2025 State Volleyball Tournament. Also pictured, head coach Channing Halstead, front right, assistant coach Breanna Sebetka, back right, and assistant coach Karisa Kladivo, front left. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER