By: Nathan Bloechl — [email protected]
Clear Lake, Iowa — For the third straight season, Humboldt’s season has ended in the same result: a loss in the region final.
Two years ago it was North Polk, last year it was Sioux Center and this year it was Osage.
The Green Devils will move on to state for the third straight year, looking to improve upon a semi-final exit last year to Sioux Center.
Humboldt ends their year 30-5.
The Wildcats got off to a hot start in game one, taking a 13-8 lead over Osage and forcing them to call time-out. However after the stoppage, Osage went on a 17-8 run to win game one 25-21.
Again keeping things close in game two, Humboldt saw Osage sophomore Danielle Johnson and senior Sydney Midlang take over, repeatedly finding good areas on attack attempts giving Osage a 25-20 win.
Humboldt stumbled to an 8-1 deficit in game three, which was too much too overcome with the Green Devils clinching the state berth on the back of a 25-15 game three.
Jori Hajek led the way for Humboldt with 10 kills, while Ashlyn Clark and Kyah Arnold each had five.
Head Coach Justin McDaniel tipped his cap to the Green Devil net play post-game, saying their blockers were causing problems for the Wildcat attack.
Macy Becker had 17 assists in the loss, while Carlie Thompson had 16 digs.
Osage will take on Davenport Assumption in the first round of the Class 3A tournament in Cedar Rapids next Wednesday.