The Riverside Bulldogs lost to the Ankeny Christian Eagles in three straight sets in the Class 1A Region 4 Championship on Wednesday night. It was a tightly contested match in which Riverside could never grab on to a lead.

In the first set the Eagles took an early lead and continued to pound away at the Bulldog back row collecting kill after kill. In the first set Ankeny Christian totaled 10 kills. Riverside responded back with five kills of their own in the opening set with the help of Sophia Taylor who had 5 kills, 1 ace, 1 dig and Elyssa Amdor with 7 kills, 4 digs, 1 block. Those two helped Riverside create a 6-point run that turned a 19-12 match, into 19-18. Yet, the Eagles stayed composed and outlasted the Bulldogs to take the first set 25-19.

The second set saw more tenacity from each school exchanging points throughout. Ankeny Christian continued to unload kills having 10 in the second set with 4 blocks to stay ahead of a gritty Riverside team. Still set numbers two would end in similar fashion to number one and the Eagles nabbed it 25-18.

In the third set the Eagles had all the momentum with 11 kills, 6 aces, and 5 blocks. They seemed even sharper before and Riverside struggled to keep up. Ankeny Christian won 25-12. It was a tough loss for Riverside Head Coach Brooke Flathers and her team. Tears were shed, but Coach Flathers noted the strength she saw from her players and how well they fought.

With the Regional Championship loss, comes the end of a few seniors playing careers at Riverside and Coach Flathers was grateful for the time they spent with the Bulldogs.

Riverside had a lot of youth on this year’s team and bring back quite an underclassman for next year. Coach Flathers knows that next year’s group is a hard working one.

Ankeny Christian starts the first round of 1A State play October 31st against Newell-Fonda.