Union senior Jaimi Hilmer (5) spikes the ball last week Tuesday during the Knights’ first round regional win against Iowa Falls-Alden. Hilmer, an outside hitter, notched a pair of kills against the Cadets, helping to propel Union to the second round which took place the following Thursday. PHOTO BY KAYLA ROBB

LA PORTE CITY – Knights volleyball rolled through the first and second rounds of 3A regionals last week in front of a hometown crowd by sweeping Iowa Falls-Alden, 3-0 (25-11, 25-14, 25-9) on Tuesday, followed by Roland-Story, 3-0 (25-16, 25-19, 25-22) on Thursday.

The pair of wins advanced Union to the 3A Region 5 championship game set for this week Tuesday at home against West Delaware (26-14) – the Telegraph will feature coverage of the regional final in next week’s paper.

Against Iowa Falls-Alden, senior Gracie Klima and junior Avery Knoop led the Knights’ offense with Klima notching a dozen kills, one assist, and two errors, while Knoop had 30 assists and two kills.

Libero Ava Mehlert led the defense against the Cadets with nine digs.

At the serve line, Knoop and Bianca Grimm had four aces apiece, while Emily Anton had three, and Reagan Glenn and Laikyn Ewoldt each contributed one.

Union's Gracie Klima (7) and Sydney Schmuecker (12) go for the block against Roland-Story during round two of regionals last week Thursday in La Porte City. PHOTO BY KAYLA ROBB

A similar story played out two nights later against Roland-Story with Klima and Knoop again leading the offense – Klima notching 19 kills, two assists, and three errors, while Knoop had 43 assists, two kills, and one error.

Glenn led the defense against the Norsemen for the Knights with 13 digs.

Union racked up eight aces that evening as a team.

Entering the week, Knoop was tied for No. 1 in the state for assists with 1,090, while Klima was No. 5 for number of kills with 476.

Both claimed No. 1 outright in Class 3A for their respective feats.

The Union student section pictured during the match with Roland-Story last week Thursday. PHOTO BY KAYLA ROBB

Dena Robb (21) and Avery Knoop block a Roland-Story kill attempt during last week's 3A Region 5 semifinal played in La Porte City. PHOTO BY KAYLA ROBB