The Exira-EHK Spartans Volleyball team is moving on to the Class 1A Region 8 Quarterfinal after their three-set sweep of the CAM Cougars. Despite being a sweep, every set was close and tightly contested. CAM played a spirited and high intensity match and even held multiple leads throughout the night but were never able to push it across the finish line. Meanwhile Exira-EHK’s big was never deterred and always came through in big moments to seal the victory and move on.

Outside of the first few rallies, set one belonged to the Spartans from start to finish. However, the set was never out of reach.  Cam constantly battled back as neither team could go on a long-extended runs. The Spartan’s largest lead of the set was five, but it teetered between two and four for much of the set. Despite the intensity, the Spartans never lost control and won set one by a score of 25-23.

Looking to take control of the set early, Exira-EHK jumped out to an early 5-0 lead in set two. Despite this CAM refused to go down without a fight. Led by Courtney Follman, Maddie Richter, and Krista James the Cougars offense scored 13 of the next 18 points to take a 13-10 lead. A lead they would hold for the next several rallies. However, the calm and collected Spartans led by Jaelynn Petersen would go on a 7-0 run to establish a 22-18 lead that they would not relinquish. They went on to win the set 25-23. Petersen would finish the night with 14 kills on 19 attempts.

Set Three would see CAM get out to an early lead scoring the first point of the set for the first time. However, like the first two, the set remained closed as neither team could establish more than a two-point lead. However down 11-12 Exira-EHK would find the run they needed. Led by some terrific defensive play from Mayne Jorgensen who had 17 digs, Exira-EHK had firm control of the match. Although CAM (as they had done all night) battled back, the Spartans would walk away with a 25-21 win to take the match 3-0.

Head Coach Derek Reischauer was proud that his team pulled off another close conference matchup.

Reischauer says although the game was fun to watch he knew he group had to be focused on the goal at hand.

Although the Petersen cousins were dominant, Reischauer knows it was a total team effort.

Exira-EHK will take on Fremont-Mills in the Class 1A Region 8 Quarterfinal Wednesday at 7 pm.