Fourth-ranked Xavier eliminates Newton volleyball

CEDAR RAPIDS — Class 4A No. 4 Cedar Rapids Xavier was too much for Newton’s volleyball team on Thursday.

The Saints ended the Cardinals’ season following a 25-12, 25-8, 25-10 win during 4A Region 4 semifinal action.

The Cardinals lose only two seniors from this year’s roster.

“Big thanks to our two seniors, Emma Rogers and Aurora Nehring, for being great people and doing everything that was asked of them. I wish they were juniors,” Newton volleyball coach Heidi Woollums said. “Now, it’s up the others to get stronger, work hard in the offseason and continue to grow their volleyball IQ.”

Macy Lampe had 12 assists and five digs to lead the Cardinals, while Kadance Ahn registered eight kills and four digs.

Audrey Rausch tallied six digs, Emily Wermager recorded three digs and Emma Rogers and Chloe Swank each had two digs.

Newton (7-25) was 26-of-29 in serves with three aces. Swank and Hailey Sumpter served 6-of-6 and Ahn was 5-of-5.

“The goal for our younger players is to use the experience they gained this season and translate it to wins next season,” Woollums said.

Bella Musick and Maya Karl led Xavier (28-4) with 11 kills each. Riley Jonker added 32 assists and nine aces. Xavier served up 14 aces and had 43 kills on its 65 attempts at the net.

The Saints face Norwalk in the regional final at 7 p.m. on Tuesday in Cedar Rapids. The Warriors defeated Winterset in four sets in their regional semifinal contest.

The other two Little Hawkeye Conference schools still alive will face each other in the 4A Region 3 final. No. 6 Oskaloosa and No. 7 Pella both won their regional semifinal matches in straight sets and will meet in the championship match in Oskaloosa.

Pella’s three-set win came against No. 13 Indianola.