Union’s Hannah Gates goes up for a shot during the Knights’ victory over Osage during the state volleyball tournament in Cedar Rapids. (photo courtesy of Tim Hynds / Sioux City Journal)

The top-ranked Union Knights girls volleyball team advanced to the Class 3A state championship match last Friday, but fell short against a Dike-New Hartford squad that earned its fifth championship in the past six seasons.

After a hot start by the Wolverines (48-5) – who won the opening two sets 25-18 and 25-11 – Union (40-5) won the third set 25-23 and nearly forced a fifth set before falling 25-27.

Peyton Parker and Megan Hudson have been a powerful duo for the Knights all season and were named to the Class 3A All-Tournament Team.