Grundy Center Falls To Defending State Champs [Photos]

Grundy Center finally met a post-season opponent the Spartans couldn't conquer -- top-ranked and defending Class 2A state champion Western Christian of Hull.

The Wolfpack (39-6) moved into the semifinals at the Iowa High School Girls State Volleyball Tournament with a 3-0 victory over the eight-time defending North Iowa Cedar League (NICL) West Division champions at the U.S. Cellular Center Wednesday afternoon (Nov. 9, 2016). Match scores were 25-11, 25-17 and 25-16.

The Spartans (25-17) battled Western Christian until the end, despite being swept. Sophomore Kylie Willis led Grundy Center's offensive attack with six kills.

The loss ends a somewhat surprising post-season run for the unranked Spartans, who qualified for their ninth state tournament by holding off fourth-ranked Tri-Center of Neola in the regional final and defeating No. 9 Woodward-Granger in five sets in the regional semifinal.

The future looks bright for Grundy Center, which featured two freshmen and four sophomores in its rotation. Allyson Grimm is the lone senior on the squad and Landry Luhring is the only junior.

Western Christian is making its 16th state tournament appearance -- the second-most in state history -- this week and 34th overall. The Wolfpack are gunning for their 10th championship. They've appeared in the title match 15 times.