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â™ â™ â™ â™ > >> More volleyball action coming your way from Xtream arena in coralville.

It's a beautiful day for championship volleyball.

The last day of the 2024 high school volleyball season.

It's been a tremendous season.

We've claimed one champion and now we go to the 4a matchup.

Sioux City Bishop Heleen, the crusaders, the number two seed, 43-0 overall facing Pella Dutch new head coach 41-7 overall, and there's a five seed.

I'm Eric Braley welcoming inside the arena, Beth west my good friend here.

These teams are familiar with each other here.

>> They are.

They played twice already this season.

Bishop Heleen won one match, Pella won the other.

Now is the tiebreaker and for a fantastic prize of state champion.

It's going to be a good one.

>> It's a toss up and we're excited to bring you the sights and sounds.

Let's introduce you to these two teams and tell you more about who's on the roster an Pella, 11th time they've been to state but a little bit of a drought.

First time since 2018.

They play 21 given ranked teams so they are what you call battle tested.

And some great individual performers.

>> Really prepared from that season.

Katie Scheckel stands out as their go to player.

She sets but she hits a lot.

In the quarterfinal she hit 23 kills, 25 assist, 25 digs.

Wow.

>> Impressive.

And then for number two Bishop Heleen t 26th time they've been to state.

Great senior leadership, as Maddie LaFleur and Hacker are just --make them a very balanced attack.

We are ready for the teams to run out from the smoke and the flames.

And on to the championship court.

>> Eric: We're waiting for the teams to run out to the championship court, as we get set.

What an entrance these student athletes get as we send it to the public address announcer to bring the 4a champion student athletes out fort shutdown.

>> Announcer: Fans, here are your dutch!

[ Applause ] â™ â™ >> Announcer: Bishop Heleen fans, give it up for your crusaders!

[ Applause ] >> Announcer: Welcome, everyone to today's 4a championship matchup here at Xtream arena.

Let's meet our teams and players for today's championship match.

First of all, let's meet the Pella dutch.

Your nonstarters.

Number 2 Kytilin Plate.

Number 3 Elah Hiemstra.

Number 4 Olivia Lowery.

Number 7 Saige DeJong.

Number 9 Lauren mace.

Number 12, Elle Schmitz.

Number 13 Abby Hietbrink.

Number 14 Lyndi Schulte.

Your assistant coaches, Amanda Dell, Tammy white, Rachel vanZANTS, Addision Adrian, Meghan Scheckel, and Avery hall.

And now, here's your starting lineup!

For your dutch, for Pella!

A 5'9", junior number 1 Brooke Schulte.

-9 SFCH junior number 2 Katie SHELTS.

A 6'1" senior number 10 Sydney Namminga.

6 foot senior number 11 Emma Eekhoff.

And a --- 1 Abbie Brand.

Chair smock.

Head coach for the dutch, Joel allman.

> >> Now let's meet the crusaders from Bishop Heleen.

Your nonstarters.

Number 1 Mia white.

Number 3 Emma moody.

Number 10 Dara Mollet.

Number 11, Claire Nelson.

Number 12, Maggie Vaandrager.

And number 13 Madelyne Sexton.

Your assistant coaches, Olivia westoff.

Brady van deucen.

Katie vantrack and Riley two.

And now, here's your starters for the crusaders from bishop heelen.

5'9" junior number 2 ava Lloyd.

5'11" senior Addision Kleis.

5'9" senior number 6 Maddie LaFleur.

A 6'1" senior number 7 Mailyah hacker.

And a 6 foot senior number 9 Abby Lee.

Junior number 5 Ireland Jackson.

Head coach for the crusaders, Lauren boatman.

Now, ladies and gentlemen, introduce your officials for this 4a championship, as assigned by the Iowa girls athletic union.

Your first referee Shawn Peterson, second referee Jen wick.

Line judges Randy Clark and Nicky O'Keefe.

The Iowa girls athletic union promotes good short sportsmanship and we request your cooperation by supporting these girls in a positive manner.

Intimidating actions directed at officials, participants, team representatives or event personnel will not be tolerated and are grounds for removal.

We thank you for your cooperation and invite you to just enjoy the game.

All right.

Who's ready to win a championship?

[ Applause ] >> Eric: All right.

We've met the players, the coaches, the officials.

Let's take a look at the keys to the game.

What's Pella need to do to take advantage of this great opportunity in front of them.

>> Beth: Pella runs a modified 6- 2 they have two centers who also stay in to hit in the front row and let me tell you, they are good.

Pella needs the dynamic duo of Scheckel and Eekhoff to have a good match and focus on ball control.

Quality servers, scrappy digs, so they can transition that defense to allow their powerful offense to produce points in pursuit of a championship.

>> Eric: That's for Pella.

Take a look at the Sioux CityCity Bishop Heleen crusaders keys to the match.

>> Beth: The crusaders swept their opponents in both state matches but Bishop Heleen had to battle in close sets to make it to these finals.

They're led offensively but outside hitters Lloyd and Hacker and the crusaders were need these two to produce kills in this championship match.

Pedal to the metal is their team motto and that's the goal, start strong, push to get ahead and don't slow down.

It's all gas, no brakes, if the crusaders want to finish strong to win a title.

>> Eric: Bishop Heleen, the senior class, they worked into a position to win the program's first state title since going back to back in 2006 and 2007.

Pella on the other hand, could win the program's first title as they have been to state 11 different times.

The stage is set and the 4a state title match is officially under way.

Through the block down to the point.

And Heelan strikes first.

>> Beth: Hacker swinging from the right side going straight at the Pella block forcing it through.

And a little excitement on herher rallied up here at the start goes quite a bit long.

They'll settle in to it.

>> Eric: 1-1 in set one for Pella.

Opportunity to put a run together.

This is Elah Hiemstra, defensive specialist.

Quick Ann.

We're trading points here early going, getting settled in.

If you haven't been here before, it's an amazing arena for these high school volleyball championships for the quarterfinals and semifinals earlier this week, they actually put a big curtain down the middle and there's two courts side by side.

There's a good look at the wide shot here.

So the court on the left side runs north-south and on the other side also runs north-south.

But then for the championship they lift the curtain, put it in the center, and it just makes for an awesome, awesome atmosphere.

>> Beth: Good job from the facilities crew doing that change overbecause we had the semifinals just yesterday and you walk in this morning it's a new place, new energy for championship Thursday.

>> Eric: Still feels shiny and new and pink everywhere inside and out as coralville, great hopes.

Now some issues happening on Pella's side of the net in the last couple minutes here.

Each coach gets two time-outs.

And right now, rising off the bench is Joe allman the head coach to say let's settle down and get a side out here, trailing by 4.

The roll shot, good pass.

Quick set middle.

Defensively there.

Everyone getting involved nis this time.

Near side swing coming at the block.

It's off the block, ricochets into the student section.

Eekhoff was there.

And now it's 6- 1 and as I thought, a time- out is called, as a 5- point lead for number 2 Bishop Heleen here in this championship match.

Well, let's set the stage for how these two teams got to the state championship match.

Pella won the top half of the bracket.

They defeated clear creek Amanan in five in the quarterfinals.

Clear creek a great season for them.

They took down Sergeant Bluff-Luton 3- 0 in a sweep.

On the bottom half of the bracket in the KRFL Heelan swept Carlyle three sets to none and yesterday, Bishop Heleen swept north Scott, tight sets, 25-23, 26-24 and 25-21.

>> Beth: A good mix of teams in 4a there in the bracket.

Sergeant Bluff-Luton upsetting Cedar Rapids Xavier and Pella beating Sergeant Bluff- Luton so a lot of changing we've got a number two versus number five here and really when you get to state, sometimes those rankings don't even matter, right.

Everyone starting fresh.

>> Eric: Especially playing on this big of a stage, the lights are bright.

There's little room for error.

You got to be [ inaudible ] if you want to walk away with state champion.

That's what Pella needed.

A defensive stop and a side out in their rotation to get the points and Dejong will go back to serve.

>> Beth: Schulte number one for the dutch shutting down the line there.

Blocking the crusader right side who is trying to turn it back.

Really needed that side out.

Good job for Pella.

>> Eric: Sends it back.

Up for Eekhoff.

For the block near side.

Two straight points for Pella.

>> Beth: Eekhoff 6 foot on that right side puts up a solid block and Pella's middle comes in and closes and makes sure no one can get through.

>> Eric: Into the net.

I tell you, I like we talk about there's pink everywhere.

Iowa high school girls athletic union has leaned into it and Pella, some of the players have dyed their hair pink.

Pink hair ties and bows.

You have the officials wearing certain pink and a pink whistle, volleyballs pink.

It's pretty awesome branding and part of the celebration of the Iowa girl.

Another attack and now a minimini run being assembled by Bishop Heleen, the crusaders, 43 wins, three losses heading into this championship match.

Nice rally between these squads.

Big swing.

And a point for Pella here.

Needed that as Bishop Heleen was on another run.

>> Beth: Pella responding well from the early time-out they got down, coach called a time-out, trying to settle them down a little bit making sure that they remember the game plan and hey, it's all right, here we go.

>> Eric: The issue is, they're only able to get about one point and then Bishop Heleen says okay that's enough we want the ball back and a chance to serve to add to our points.

>> Beth: Volleyball is a game of runs, and Bishop Heleen already going on multiple runs.

Pella not able to string together some points yet.

>> Eric: Still very early stages of this class 4a championship match.

Ball hanging at the top of the net.

That one might see a joust.

Ball sails deep.

Was there a touch.

Yes, there was.

To the side out to the Pella dutch.

>> Beth: Good vision from the line judge, ball and swings, they go so fast, but Pella catching the hands of the crusader block there and that lower set.

It was quick.

>> Eric: Another point, another side out to serve will be the libero Jackson, so defensively sound, but she can really serve the ball as well.

This is Ireland Jackson the junior.

The block, popped up.

And it's just hard to return that.

The block was there, but it went over the block, and it made it hard to get a good passes in the back row.

>> Beth: When it's coming with speed as a defender you want to get your platform behind the ball.

You want to do it quick.

Like you said that's absolutely tough to do when these hitters bring such power and speed.

>> Eric: Block down for a point.

You can see the communication on both sides just trying to make sure they're on the same page while they faced each other twice, you know, it might feel or look a little different this time around.

>> Beth: Twice in the month of September is kind of over a week, week and a half period that they played each other.

Split those matches.

And now here we are all these weeks later over a month, state tournament finals, so decide the tiebreaker.

>> Eric: For all the marbles.

12-6 in the driver's seat from the get-go.

Looking strong as Bishop Heleen, they're representing the mrac conference out of woodberry county.

And Pella, doing a good job representing the little Hawkeye.

Ball was last touched, and we might see a second and final time-out soon.

Coach Joe allman, rises up.

It's his seventh year as a head coach, but first year at Pella.

He's 39- 7 heading into state.

Picked up two wins here at state.

Pella actually finished second overall in the little Hawkeye conference.

And he's been playing some tremendous volleyball.

Their last loss came at Indianola October 8th.

Ever since then it's been all victories.

Powering it through the block and out of bounds.

Now doubling up the dutch on the scoreboard.

>> Beth: Lloyd on the outside for the crusaders using the blocker's hands again.

Pella there with a double and they seem to be floating so Lloyd utilizing their arms to just pull it off.

>> Eric: Down the line but out of bounds and as far as statistics go, Bishop Heleen hitting in the 300s while Pella is at a zero hitting percentage, meaning they have just as many kills as they have attack errors and one reason, great defense on the other side of the net for Bishop Heleen as they lead by 8.

Well, don't miss a minute of all the action coming at you today on this championship Thursday from coralville and Xtream arena.

Catch the live stream on YouTube, watch it on Facebook, you can logon to Iowa pbs.

org, watch it over the air as well.

We are live streaming and started at 10:00.

We will wrap up 7:00 or 8:00 tonight and 5A, 4a, 3 a, 2A, 1a championships.

You want to --you might be at work and might not have your TV there but you have it on in the background potentially.

>> Beth: Exactly.

>> Eric: Well, you get two time- outs and I think auto Pella did what they needed to do.

Use them up now before you dig much deeper of a hole.

>> Beth: Yes.

Wanting to start with a plan and then execute that.

Pella again struggling to string points together.

A good time-out, calm the team down again.

Needing to pass well and execute on offense.

Unfortunately saw the tip there, just not enough, enough power to get it over.

>> Eric: Looking very, very strong in this opening set.

And that one just went out to get it, as it was right above the net, and instead of like sending it back she just pushed it right over.

>> Eric: Trying to push the middle on it quick there it seemed like, as Scheckel was back pedalling.

It ended up going over the net.

An easy, you know, block for the crusaders to throw it back down.

Coach checking one thing with the officials before we get back into play here.

>> Eric: Yeah.

Can't talk to the head official above the net.

You can talk to the down official on the same sideline for communication.

The players, the captain can talk with the head official, but just trying to make sure everything is communicated.

There you see the pink whistle I was talking about too.

An outstanding crew as voted upon, tally system, point system to be able to officiate this championship 4a match.

No returning that ball.

Strong, powerful kill.

And Bishop Heleen really spreading it around.

Lloyd has four kills.

Hacker with four.

Snoozy with one.

Kleis with one.

Everyone getting involved.

Close to the net.

Tipped over.

Back-set.

Down the line, goes out.

Good decision by smock, the libero screamed it out, get away.

Get away from the ball.

Here's a look at it.

>> Beth: Really good vision.

You see her foot right on that line, making sure she knows her court awareness.

Then it's easy, if it's outside my body I don't need to reach.

>> Eric: Trailing and needing points in bunches, but a quick side out and really using all parts of the court, as Lloyd, a tremendous outside hitter for Bishop Heleen.

>> Beth: >> Eric: Has to be close to 100% on their side out efficiency right now.

They lose the serve and they'll get it back right away and that's what the side out percentage calculates.

Are there any runs.

So they're one and done right now getting it back and that is what you want when you're a coach, right.

>> Eric: Meanwhile, just some hitting errors, attack errors.

On the side of Pella.

Little shocked to be in this situation as they look around and say, wow, Bishop Heleen is a very good team and this is pretty lopsided for where we are in the first set.

The best part is, set two starts 0-0.

It's a clean slate.

>> Beth: It is.

Pella wanting to find some momentum here.

>> Eric: Yeah.

They head into that.

>> Beth: Head into that in set one to carry it over.

For the crusaders, Bishop Heleen, they want to push to finish.

No let up, right.

>> Eric: Push to finish, needing four more points.

Schulte with a skill.

Her first.

Eekhoff serving.

Send it over and they do.

Little element of surprise.

Keeping it off the court.

And it's in for the point for Bishop Heleen.

Can't fault the effort on either side.

Some great spectacular plays and here's another look at it.

>> Beth: The crusaders sent over a couple free balls to good locations.

If you're going to send a free ball be purposeful with it and send it to a spot.

Good job from Pella chasing two down and defend the middle attack.

Everything is going right for Bishop Heleen with another ace.

Strong, aggressive serves.

>> Eric: Winning every statistical category leading by 13.

Almost a service ace.

Great job just to keep the ball to get a set up.

Ricochet, back to the crusaders' side of the net.

Joust.

And still alive.

Student sections from both loving this effort.

And that will bring up set point for Bishop Heleen.

>> Beth: Hacker on the outside putting it away after some scrappy plays here from Pella.

>> Eric: Set point, big swing, but an even bigger block.

Dominant first set for Bishop Heleen.

Look out.

Wow.

25-10, the final score.

But Pella, they know they've beaten Bishop Heleen before this year.

Got some work to do in the second set.

We will be back with that action right after this here on Iowa PBS.

>> To learn more about becoming a corporate sponsor on Iowa PBS call or visit us online.

>> Eric: 25-10, Sioux City Bishop Heleen has their eye on the prize.

And they look dominant in the opening set.

Beth west and Eric Braley on the call broadcasting the 5A, 4a and 3 a championship match.

That's about as dominant of a performance you can have in the first set and that's important because Bishop Heleen trying to set the tone here early that this is theirs to win.

>> Beth: Absolutely.

Dominant in every area, tough serves, really aggressive attacks.

They have three blocks.

They are just playing fantastic in set one.

>> Eric: A lot of highlights from the first set.

We want to show you them as Bishop Heleen really distributed the offensive power as two players have five kills, another with two, another with one.

Some of these defensive plays as well, and you can see from Pella's standpoint they did have stuff to cheer about.

Just not as frequent as what they need to be, to be contending in that first set.

>> Beth: Pella had some good digs on rallies to extend them, but they couldn't finish the point.

The crusaders were consistent.

They were tough.

They just kept bringing it over.

And they were able to string together points.

Go on runs and get the margin early and then they didn't look back at all.

>> Eric: No.

Look at the statistics and as expected, pretty lopsided as the final score was as well.

The 5A champions, pleasant valley, they won in fourfour Milwaukee northwest.

What do champions do?

You take a photo on.

You put on the pink hats, throw a rose in your mouth, and you get in front.

That is directly next to wherewhere court is right now.

If our camera can zoom out, there's the court.

Celebrating.

These two teams want to be doing that in about an hour and a half.

>> Beth: It's good motivation to see that right there.

>> Eric: Great job by our Iowa PBS crew to show you everything that's happening even though you can't be here in the arena.

We hope you feel a part of this championship day of high school volleyball.

All right.

So clean slate.

Start 0-0.

Even though the overall score is Heelan 1, Pella 0.

Picking up right where they left off and getting the first point.

>> Beth: Hacker showing her range on that left pin, turning it down the line.

>> Eric: Pella had more blocks than Bishop Heleen in that opening set.

The antenna is waving, the ball did make contact with it.

It did go out of bounds and it's 2-0.

>> Beth: Pella wanting to get a good quality set to Scheckel and get her in rhythm and in sim so she can start getting some confidence and good swings for the dutch.

>> Eric: Back row attack.

How difficult is it to get a kill from all the way back there?

>> Beth: You know, it's a different approach and a different swing in some regard.

Obviously, the same mechanics of it.

But making sure you see what's in front of you from a blocking perspective, normally the middle blocker is going to go up and you're going to try to cut around to the right or left.

You have to cover some more ground, right.

You have to stay high.

You can't angle it down and snap as much as you would when you're up close to the net.

>> Eric: Big swing.

It draws that line in and fires some emotion as we have a 3-2 score here.

Side out.

And a serve coming for Elah Hiemstra.

Ball popped up.

Hot pursuit.

And sending it over.

The block was there, but defensively the back row defense wasn't as they were hustling back from off the court.

There you see.

Use all your effort and energy to knock it over and smelling blood in the water, really attacking.

Using the block, tooling it off and out of bounds brings us to another side out.

Dejong collection in to replace brand for Pella.

>> Beth: Schulte on the outside for Pella pushing it rather than swinging it off the hands of the blocker, using her push and out of bounds there to get the kill.

Right there on the deep end.

She went with one arm chasing it down.

Really would have loved to see her get her platform around it maybe could have TUCHTSDS it a little better.

That's tough when running full speed, stopped on defense, turn, sprint and get a touch.

But the crusaders, Bishop Heleen, siding out.

It's one time and they get it back.

>> Eric: No runs being assembled by Pella.

Brand back in for Pella.

Number one, white, checks in as well.

She's serving.

And it's going to be a good serve that results in another opportunity here.

Looking at Bishop Heleen's schedule, 43 wins, three losses.

Who did they lose to?

This Pella team September 7th, 2-1.

Indianola September 14th, 2-0.

Dakota valley, not an Iowa school, 2-0.

And that's it.

Otherwise it's just win after win after win.

They swept their way in the regional tournament versus lamars, 3-0 on October 24.

Took down moc Floyd valley on October 29th and then swept Carlisle in the quarterfinals.

Swept north Scott in the semifinals.

The last time they had one that went four, October 19th against unity Christian.

It went three.

2-1 in that tournament.

They haven't given up a set in quite a while.

Off the hands of Scheckel and it's 8-4.

More serves coming for Lloyd.

>> Beth: Hacker with a sharp cross-court.

Scheckel on that far side for the defense.

Has to be ready because you know Hacker can cut it sharp.

>> Eric: Serving it into the net.

And some people might think coaches are really frustrated any time there's a service error but sometimes coaches are fine with it because that means their team is serving aggressive.

>> Beth: There's definitely a balance.

You have to be aggressive with your serve and don't want to put over free balls and allow your opponent to set up their offense and have all their hitting options available, but you don't want to tip the scale where your errors are out weighing your aces or their made at critical points in the match.

That's something, too, kind of the timing and the situation behind it, so be aggressive definitely early on throughout the match.

And making sure you're hitting targets.

That's probably the most important thing.

Trying to go for a specific area, hit your target.

Serve meaning in between players as well.

>> Eric: Communication on serve receive so important.

That last one not a good pass.

And unable to get a good attack out of it.

Let's see where this one falls.

Popped up now to the outside.

Good swing.

Some options.

The block was there.

Again, Pella led in the block statistics after the first set.

One-arm save.

Can't fault the effort.

That ball is going to hit the court and make it a six-point advantage for Bishop Heleen here.

Another look.

As we head to Pella's first time-out.

11-5 our score.

Let's listen to Joe allman in the Pella huddle.

>> Stay in the fight.

We're just raising up a little bit passing wise.

That ball is not going straight up.

Just like we practiced get it down here.

Sound good on that.

Okay.

Let's move our right side block in for a little bit.

Yep.

We will take cross.

Okay.

Right back.

Just know it's back.

It might come at your face.

You both have strong hands.

Know what I'm saying.

Dig that ball in.

Sound good on that.

All right.

Stay in the fight.

Right.

Stay in the fight.

It's 11-5 game.

11-5 game.

Okay.

Our energy is too flat right now.

Know what I'm saying.

Okay.

Come on.

>> Eric: The messaging from Joe allman the head coach.

I appreciate the fact that he let us put a wireless microphone on it.

It's a big stage.

Arguably the biggest volleyball match he's coached on but allowing us to bring the sights and sounds to the viewers back home.

We appreciate that from Joe allman.

We'ring doing that throughout the entire day and all the matches.

Some coaches won't, so we will not be able to provide Lauren boatman, she is not wearing a microphone.

All right.

So it's 11-5.

What did you take away there from what he said trying to build up his team a little bit in this big moment.

>> Beth: One, he was calm, and he was portraying just a level-headed approach, right.

Hey, it's an 11-5 game.

We don't need to panic.

They got a point back.

11-6.

Being calm, control what you can control.

Throwing in some technical tidbits to his team giving them something to focus on.

Keep your platform in front of you.

We're popping up which means our passes aren't going to target and then telling them, strong hands.

When that ball is coming on the attack, strong hands.

They've had some that have been in the right spot, but it's just blown through their hands and fingertips.

I like he gives them technical things to keep their focus on something rather than hey go out and get it done, kind of thing.

>> Eric: A lot to unpackage there.

You only get about 45 seconds to talk to them before you send them back out.

You're trying to disrupt the momentum and change the flow, as trailing 12- 7 now in this second set.

Really a 2-1 run since that time- out and that message was delivered.

4a championship match.

Pella, the number five seed, Bishop Heleen the number two seed.

>> Eric: Ball sails out of bounds, but I like how Scheckel the setter is really doing a good job of maybe she's not getting a good pass making her job a little bit more challenging, but really doing a good job floating around and helping out her hitters.

>> Beth: Trying to make up the offense make the crusaders block, move around a little bit get her hitters open look, holes in the block, one on ones.

Pella's defense got to keep going to make that a possibility, but good job from the setters, both of them, Scheckel and Eekhoff trying to mix it up.

>> Eric: Good, long volley, but the rally is won by Bishop Heleen to go up 14-7.

>> Beth: What an angle from Lloyd.

>> Eric: That's tough.

>> Beth: It was literally like horizontal on the net, sending it over.

Just a head's up play to get her bearings an get it over the net.

>> Eric: Blocked down for thethe and finding multiple ways to score.

Aces, kills, and blocks for Bishop Heleen.

>> Beth: Very consistent in their play.

Just a real all-around team effort right now we're seeing from all positions.

>> Eric: Hitting 396 as a team.

If you know baseball or softball batting average, .396 is good.

Same with NIGTS volleyball.

0.

96 cumulative team average is darn good and one of the reasons they are up one set to none and leading by eight here in the second.

Using the block and that's got to feel good for Pella.

>> Beth: That was a good, long rally, defensive efforts to keep it alive and finally Pella capitalizes on it being able to put it away down the line there.

He can with a good swing.

>> Eric: Eekhoff leading the way in kills Schultz there as well.

Off the court.

The crusaders popping it up as well.

Schulte.

>> Eric: Over the block, and it just lands in.

Perfect placement.

So challenging to have that much of a velocity on the ball and to have it angled down just to grab in and now the second and final time-out called by Pella.

As they trail 16-8.

>> Beth: An impressive cross-court shot from Lloyd.

Like you said she was leaning back.

Her approach probably wasn't exactly how she wanted it I keelly, but being able to adjust with her arm swing took her up.

>> Eric: We showed you some of the fun things happening in the winner's circle.

How about this.

It's called the players lounge.

A staple at many Iowa girlsgirls tournaments.

A place for teams to relax.

Hang out.

Prior to and following competition.

You can sit in a pink throne.

Play some games.

You can watch live matches like our broadcast.

It's just outside the main arena here in Xtream arena.

Practice courts next to it.

All the amenities.

Players lounge.

One of the things making this an extra special state championship event.

16- 8, Bishop Heleen won the first.

Leading the second over Pella here.

Pella we've talked about in the pregame show, really battle tested.

Played a rugged schedule.

Played 21 different ranked teams.

You heard me right, 21 different ranked teams on the year.

They went 41-7 through that.

>> Eric: That's pretty incredible.

Those ranked teams throughout 5A, 4A, 3 a, not only playing for a school in their regular season, some of those nonconference tournaments, they're getting to play bigger schools, smaller schools, but still tough ranked teams.

Good coverage from Pella to keep that alive.

>> Eric: Bishop Heleen lot of weapons and able to get one there.

Making it 18-8.

Big smiles from the student athletes and the student section.

As they're hitting on all cylinders right now.

>> Beth: Sometimes it can be frustrating to a team when your opponent keeps bringing the ball over, like Pella dug it up, brought it back over, gave them a couple free balls.

Bishop Heleen is unfazed and stay poised and calm and keep running their offense.

>> Eric: Good job cutting that hit.

Tough angle real tight to the net and another kill.

And a side out meaning that Pella gets the ball in their rotation to serve.

10 kills for Hacker.

The only player in double-digits but hot on her heels is Lloyd with nine, both hitting above .444.

>> Beth: Outside duo for the crusaders.

Really tough to defend.

>> Eric: That's the second point in a row and now Pella, the dutch, are in the double-digits with a serve coming from Dejong, one of the setters.

Joe allman, the head coach.

129 victories.

And 41 of them coming at Pella.

How about a 3- 0 run.

>> Beth: Fantastic connection there from the setter Scheckel pushing it.

>> Eric: A look at it.

>> Beth: With tempo you see here.

Great job from SchulteSchulte it.

>> Eric: Schulte, her second kill.

Off the block and out of bounds.

Hacker now with 11 kills.

And in the rotation comes brand, the middle hitter.

And serving will be white.

Mia white, 43 aces on the year.

Ranked third best on the team in that statistical category.

White, 43 aces on the year.

Ranked third best on the team in that statistical category.

Pella.

Love to get another point here.

Letting it go.

And another smart decision that anchors the pack row.

Player smock lets it sail by.

The senior head's up play and it's now a seven-point difference.

>> Beth: Lloyd had to speed up her approach.

That set was dying inside, so she had to go quick for a little too much power as she waswas in.

Ended up with an error, but now, the dutch with the service error right back in the hands of the crusaders.

>> Eric: How far tough is it, the momentum go go, go, take a deep breath and collect yourself before serving that ball over the net.

>> Beth: You do.

It's similar to a free throw, right.

You need to breathe and go through your routine.

A lot of servers have a routine that's consistent each time.

You need to look at your coach and figure out exactly what target, where they want you to serve.

And then execute.

It's a lot in a shorter amount of time, as a server, especially after just running around from the play before.

>> Eric: The crusaders just hitting the ball with so much velocity on it.

It's hard to handle with the speed and then some of the spinning rotation as the ball sends over the net.

An attack error.

It was not touched but it does go out of bounds.

It's now 23-12 with more serves coming from Lloyd.

This is, again, just been so remarkable what Bishop Heleen has done in this 4a championship.

As they have led from start to finish and had a pretty -- I don't want to say comfortable, there's no lead that's comfortable in SPOIZ sports but a decent lead in set one and two.

>> Beth: A controlled lead.

It's never comfortable.

You can feel control and that's what we're getting from the crusaders side.

Consistently, control, very purposeful in what they're doing.

>> Eric: That brings up set point here in the second set.

24-13.

A look at the parents, thethe community members.

They want nothing more than to cheer on their girls and claim a state championship.

They're close.

They won the first set.

They've won the second set.

But they need one more before they can celebrate a state title.

We will be back with highlights from the second set and third set action right after this here on Iowa PBS.

s. >> If you're feeling sad when you hear blues, when you leave you're feeling better.

â™ take you with me â™ >> Friday at 8:30 on Iowa PBS.

>> Today is the day.

>> You're home.

>> It's a celebration.

>> Here we go.

>> No one can say I don't have accomplished daughters.

>> We need more fun in our family family.

>> Look at this spread.

>> That's good.

>> Your heart gets so full you think it's going to burst.

>> Eric: 25-10 and 25-13.

Sioux City Bishop Heelan can sense it.

They're so close, but yet potentially so far away.

Auto we've seen it time and time again.

A reverse sweep.

A sweep is you win sets one, two, three.

A reverse sweep is you win sets three, four, five.

Now no one knows if that's going to happen, but it does happen in this sport.

>> Beth: It can happen and does happen.

And it's very possible Pella can flip the script and reverse sweep.

You have to win three in volleyball.

Crusaders want to come out strong and consistent like they've been.

Pella has a chance, make adjustments, come out with fire and intensity and win this third set.

>> Eric: The best part Pella in the back of their minds they have beaten Sioux CIty Bishop Heelan already this year.

Sioux CIty Bishop Heelan is playing at a whole new level it appears through the first two sets.

Take a look at some of the highlights, as everybody is getting involved, whether it is the serving, whether it is the attacking.

But great passing and defense as well.

Pella, made some runs in there and you can see that has to feel so good when you put a run together.

But too much as Hacker, has 11 kills.

Lloyd has 10.

And overall, team hitting percentage at .338 compared to a zero hitting percentage for Pella.

A look at the side by side comparison and it is lopsided and every statistical category other than total blocks has been controlled by the crusaders who are in their 26th trip to state seeking their fourth state title as last time, since 2007.

It's been a little bit of a stretch there.

Well, I'm going to ask you, Beth, you're the head coach.

You're Lauren boatman.

Do you just kind of get out of the way and say, keep on keeping on?

Because there's not much that needs changed, if anything.

>> Beth: No need to change the game plan for the crusaders.

But reminding her team, we need to keep our intensity high.

We need to keep our effort high.

We need to stay focused.

It can be quite tempting, quite easy to sit back on your heels kind of take a breather and relax when you're up two sets to none and that is not what the crusaders want, especially against a good Pella team who like we said they've beat this Bishop Heelan team before.

They know they can do it.

No let up if you are the crusaders.

>> Eric: Pella gets first serve.

Pella with the point.

Pella with the lead.

>> Beth: There's some energy.

There's some excitement and fire from the dutch.

>> Eric: Let's take a look at that fire from our net cam.

Just not there in time and a good attack by Pella.

We're tied at 1-1.

Pleasant valley, the 5A champion.

The 4a champion is going to be Bishop Heelan or Pella, as they defeated Carlisle, north Scott, and Sergeant Bluff-Luton to get to this spot.

>> Beth: We have to highlight this, Eric.

The libero, block out of the back row.

She is fired up.

She takes that swing.

You don't see that too often.

>> Eric: You don't.

Their job is to get a good pass and keep the ball off the court.

Claire smock overall this year, total number of kills five out of a whole bunch of volleyball now added one more.

She has six.

>> Eric: 2-2.

Kleis.

And looking at Lauren boatman.

Her coaching record fifth year.

Just looking at her you can tell she's young.

She is just not a ton of years of experience.

Her overall record, though, 1134 wins to 92 losses and two times she's taken her teams in the last five years to state.

She's already taken this team to the state championship.

So young and inexperienced, maybe doesn't matter when you can relate to the players and you know the xs and os of the sport of volleyball.

>> Beth: Doing a good job building this crusaders program.

They've been good.

I shouldn't say that.

Maintaining that level of excellence in her first five years running the program.

>> Eric: Four times Bishop Heelan has won a state title in volleyball.

The last time was 2007 and they're on the brink right now.

Serve from White as Mia White has a couple of aces so far today.

A good connection with their middles, but too strong, and it goes out of bounds, as Tauke was there.

>> Beth: Right idea, wanting to get the middles active, get some production from that position to open it up for some others.

>> Eric: Out of bounds, last touched off the ricochet and out of bounds and that's one of the things, talk about that platform as you are in serve receive or attempting to receive an attack.

Why is a platform important?

>> Beth: When we talk about platform we're just talking about real basic, two arms put together in the position to what we call pass the ball and serve receive and you want to hold it strong.

You want to hold it tight.

You want to utilize your angles.

First try to move with your feet to get there and if you can't fully get there, then you're reaching outside of your body to adjust your angle to then bring it back as it bounces off your arms, off your platform to your setter.

So incredibly important it's strong and tight and that the angles are bringing it back into the court.

>> Eric: 7-4.

That's what we try to give you, these little nuggets, as we know not everyone tuning in to our full day of high school volleyball championships maybe grew up playing the sport of volleyball.

Maybe you haven't watched volleyball before today.

But learning about it and enjoying the a Iowa girl, as the competition is at a very high level and volleyball is as well.

7-5.

Pella gets the side out.

There's a look at their bench trying to help keep the energy flowing.

As it is a must-win opportunity for Pella here in the third set.

>> Eric: Most days of the week Pella would be celebrating that point off the block.

They had to work a little harder to finalize it, but they do get the point.

>> Beth: Finishing points just like we saw is what Pella needs to continue to do all throughout set three is what they were lacking in sets one and two where they would have the longer rallies and keep it alive, but Bishop Heelan were the ones who were finishing points.

Good job from Pella.

Keep that up.

Finish points strong.

>> Eric: Tough angle, ball sent over, but last touched from Smock.

Let's take a look at this one again.

Coming right at you.

You can see the frustration frustration clear.

Just barely policed it.

>> Beth: Hacker is swinging outside, kind of around that block.

Wanting that libero to move a little bit and trust her block and move a little bit outside of it.

She's in the right spot though.

She's close.

>> Eric: Well, huge number of student athletes in Iowa turned out in 2024 to play, to participate, and to be a high school volleyball player.

Fastest growing girls sport in the state of Iowa.

Volleyball the highest participation numbers with more than 11,000 girls playing from border to border in the state of Iowa.

And you have on display today the cream of the crock, the best of the best.

>> Beth: It's a fun sport, fast-paced, team sport.

You need everyone.

You can have stars in bright spots but it takes all six and your bench to make a full team effort, especially when you get to the state championship.

So we love volleyball an going to continue to promote it.

>> Eric: Time- out on the court.

Pella electing to use their first of two time-outs.

11-6.

Let's listen in to the Pella huddle.

>> Beth: It's barely off.

Passing just barely off.

Don't overthink it.

Trust your mechanics.

We have done it a thousand times this year.

Let's make sure we take away that line and feeding everything that way.

Middle back.

Go that way a little bit too.

Once we get in the system, we're going to freakin' pound the ball at them.

Know what I'm saying.

Just be confident and go down swinging if we're going to go down.

>> One, two, three.

>> Beth: Be confident.

Swing away.

Talked about setting up the defense but then he said, transition that and just swing.

I love it.

Be aggressive.

>> Eric: Thanks again first-year head coach at Pella, Joel allman.

Collected his 100th career win this season.

We appreciate you letting us put a microphone it hear what you had to say in the huddles.

Emma Eekhoff is an all-state softball player at Pella, while Smock teamed to earn a state doubles championship.

So pretty incredible multisport athletes for Pella who are excelling at more sports than just the sport of volleyball.

11-7.

Pella is trailing and they're trailing on the scoreboard 2-0 as Smock, the senior served.

Free ball.

Options for Pella.

That's a pretty good option.

The crusaders will not let it hit the court.

Again.

That just has to be tough you're throwing your best stuff time and time again over the net, and it keeps coming back and getting returned by Bishop Heelan.

>> Beth: The crusaders are relentless in their backcourt getting touches on everything.

Frustrating your said it that is frustrating.

>> Eric: A five-point lead in the serve.

That one will drop down.

Good location and placement.

And with the side out, a chance to string some points together, is Scheckel.

Little look over to the sideline to see what zone her coaching staff wants to serve it to.

And unfortunately for her, it goes into the net.

>> Beth: In volleyball we have six zones that just brakes up the front and the back of the court into six different areas and that's what these coaches are giving signs to their team, to the server to serve one of those six sequence and then often an additional sign as far as in between certain zones, in between certain players as well.

Talking about serving scenes because you have to communicate and then you want your opponent to have to figure it out who's going to take it.

>> Eric: Ball just stopped on top of the net and bounced back.

Hitting the court.

It will make it 14-9 our score in this third set.

Sioux CIty Bishop Heelan, returns to the state volleyball tournament for the 26th time.

Here is when I say it stopped on the net took that spinning rotation and kind of sat there a second.

Sioux CIty Bishop Heelan team, 40 wins for the first time since 2011 and if they win today it will be 44.

Senior setter and morningside university commit Maddie LaFleur, 2,500 assists for her career and showing how balanced she is with 1,000 digs.

She's the first crusader to reach both 2,000 plus assists and 1,000 plus digs in her career.

>> Beth: Pretty impressive stats that you're reading off.

And again, a pretty impressive point from the crusaders picking up the tip and then putting up a block as well.

They're doing a lot of things right.

>> Eric: I think that's impressive with the career statistics, it's not just a one-year wonder.

She's been in the lineup, in the rotation, as a staple for multiple seasons and that's how you get that many career stats numbers.

That's what's interesting to see what happens with these two schools after the season.

You know who graduates and who comes back and who are the underclassman or maybe the 8th graders that will fit in.

But with two coaches that are relatively young as far as at their school trying to build up programs to their state year after year after year.

>> Beth: Exactly.

Pella made up of all juniors and seniors.

The crusaders are balanced four seniors, three juniors, four sophmore and two freshmen.

Spread out there.

>> Eric: Let's see if we can look inside the huddle for Bishop Heelan.

>> Eric: Finish finish that's all you got to say.

Up 18-9.

Up two sets to none.

Tonight have to do anything different except finish.

>> Beth: Sometimes easier said than done but finish is the goal.

One point at a time, continuing like we said before, just with that high intensity and high focus, no let up here for the crusaders.

And they haven't shown any yet.

>> Eric: They have 20 more kills.

Being efficient with the attack percentage across the board.

Well, how are the dutch going to respond here?

They have the volleyball and a chance to dig in to this deficit.

Working it to the outside.

It's denied back.

>> Beth: Using the hands of the block.

Schulte going high.

Making sure she doesn't hit into the meat of the block.

Getting the serve back for her squad and again, Pella trying to string together some points here.

>> Eric: Seven points is the advantage right now for Bishop Heelan.

Make it eight.

You see the celebration.

It's a big-time play by Lloyd.

Here's another look.

>> Beth: Lloyd basically one-on-one the middle started to go that direction and didn't finish from a blocking perspective.

Lloyd goes up, presses over and takes away that attacking angle from Pella.

Just shuts it down.

>> Eric: Back to the line, it is in for a point.

Trying to use every inch of this court because defensivelydefensively Bishop seems to be everywhere.

>> Beth: The libero for the crusaders kind of read off speed, and that shot from the dutch went wide and now able to string a good serve behind it as well.

>> Eric: Lead down to 6 for Bishop Heelan.

Pella.

Outside swing over the block.

One arm save.

Ball high up into the air.

Love this rally.

Down for the point.

Sometimes the celebration it feels so much better when you have to work so hard for each and every point.

You know you're going against a tough, tough competitor.

>> Beth: Sounds like a life lesson right there, Eric.

>> Eric: Things that come easy maybe you don't appreciate as much.

Covering a lot of ground to set that one up.

Inbounds is the call.

Really making something out of nothing there.

>> Beth: Out of system ball.

Keeping it alive.

But then knowing your location on the court being able to throw it back right on that sideline for the tip.

Pella thinking it was going to be out and catches that line.

>> Eric: Hacker with 17 kills, Lloyd with 14.

No one for Pella with double- digit kills in this championship match.

22-13.

>> Beth: Hacker continuing to be very impressive from the outside from that left pin brings so much power and aggression on her swings.

>> Eric: Good pass.

Here's the set down the line for the point.

When you get a good pass and nice set, a lot of options for your hitters.

>> Beth: It all starts with the pass.

You're absolutely right.

Schulte for Pella going down the line on the right side.

Good location.

Good vision to see that it was open.

>> Eric: Shallow, hard to gauge where that serve was going to drop.

And the crusaders get out of a jam.

Leg it go.

And attack error and now it's two points away from a state championship for Bishop Heelan.

Tough swing, and it grabs inside the court.

Manipulate her body and the angle she took, and it grabs that sideline for a point.

>> Eric: Another kill for Hacker.

As the outside hitter has 19 now and that brings up match point for Bishop Heelan.

The crusaders won set one, set two, and they haven't dropped a set here at state.

Winning in the quarterfinals over Carlisle 3-0.

Winning over north Scott 3-0.

And one point away from sweeping a very good Pella dutch team 3- 0 here in this championship.

Scheckel to serve for Pella.

Here's the pass.

Back set.

Attack.

Blocked.

One arm up.

Outside swing.

Pella.

Through the block and down for the point.

Can they climb all the way back?

They trail by seven.

It's still match point.

>> Eric: There it is.

Sioux CIty Bishop Heelan crusaders 44 wins and their fifth state title in the sport of volleyball.

First since 2007.

They're your class 4a state champions.

>> Eric: We see the emotion of winning, you see the emotion of losing.

These student athletes have given it their all.

This was the final point of the championship match.

Two players were there for the block.

Smart decision and now the teams greet each other under the net.

Congratulating each otheren a great championship match and season.

Well, from what I saw I think Sioux CIty Bishop Heelan can beat about anyone in the state no matter 4A or whatever.

They have all the tools to be a championship team.

>> Beth: They played very consistently in all statistical areas of the game from point one all the way to the end.

They served aggressive.

Their defense was so scrappy.

They just wouldn't let it drop.

And then they kept running their offense over and over and two quality outsides impressed with hacker and Lloyd.

>> Announcer: Direct your attention to the court for the awards presentation.

Presenting awards members of the I ca girls union board of directors Travis flesh NER, Zach and Tanya.

Presenting awards to the 2024 class 5A or excuse me 4A all tournament team, executive director Aaron GURlick and president of the IGHSAU board of directors.

From Bishop Heelan ava Lloyd.

From Pella Emma Eekhoff.

From north Scott, Mackenzie Mueller.

From Sergeant Bluff-Luton Brie vandentop.

From Bishop Heelan Mailyah Hacker.

From Pella, Katie Scheckel.

And your class 4a 2024 all tournament team captain, from Bishop Heelan Maddie LaFleur.

>> Eric: LaFleur, the team captain, for the class 4a all tournament team, a great individual honor for all these student athletes.

She's a special talented player.

I feel like we didn't call her name enough but she does a tremendous job leading this offense.

>> Beth: A fantastic setter.

We talked about the great kills from their entire team, but who is setting them up, it's LaFleur.

Great job.

>> Eric: Well deserving and congratulations to all those ladies representing their individual self and their teams on the class 4a all tournament team.

We still have the championship runners up tournament trophy to hand out as well as the championship trophy and reminder, we still have 3 a, 2A, 1a championships to come as well.

>> Announcer: Presenting the award is Taylor anderson of the Iowa girls athletic union.

This year's top producer of the 4a championship match from Bishop Heelan, Mailyah hacker.

>> Eric: Hacker, 20 kills on 39 attempts.

Beth, she hit .487 and was just dominant.

She had the double-double, 20 kills, 10 digs.

>> Announcer: Your class 4A runner-up for 2024, coach Joel allman, and the Pella dutch.

>> Eric: Proud of that trophy, first year at Pella and coach allman brings them a state runner-up trophy.

>> Announcer: And they punch their ticket to get here to the tournament, today they redeem it as your 4A champions.

Here is the Bishop Heelan crusaders and head coach Laura boatman.

>> Eric: Congratulations the Sioux CIty Bishop Heelan crusaders.

>> Eric: The sticker is applied and the celebration begins.

>> Announcer: Fans you're welcome to meet your team.

>> Eric: They can go to the winner's circle to celebrate.

Congratulations on the fifth state title for Bishop Heelan and the sport of volleyball.

Congratulations your 4a champs.

We will take a break and be back in a little bit with the 3 a girls championship match.

It's going to be a good one.

It's number one Mount Vernon versus number 2 western Christian.

They're seeking their third straight title.

We will be back with that in a little bit on Iowa PBS.

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