E.D. White catches Jackets flat-footed

LAFAYETTE — Things started well for the seventh-seeded Iowa at the Louisiana High School Athletic Association state volleyball tournament Thursday at the Cajundome.

But mistakes cost the Yellow Jackets as No. 2 E.D. White won in straight sets, 25-9, 25-9, 25-11

“You have to bring your best game and we didn’t,” Iowa head coach Grant Anderson. “We picked a bad time not to play too well.

“E.D. White is a great team. They are solid across the board and well coached. When you don’t bring your best game against the best competition that is what happens.”

E.D. White (22-13) advanced to play No. 3 Lutcher at 1:40 p.m. today in the semifinals.

Iowa (19-19) led 2-1 on a kill by Jordyn Underwood in the first set and 3-2 on a Cardinals error. But the Yellow Jackets started to struggle with four hitting errors, a net violation and a serving error as the Cardinals went on a 10-0 run to take a 16-5 lead.

“Early on in Game 1, it was 5-5,” Anderson said. “We were right there and we had a little momentum and some confidence.

“It is a game of ball control. If you don’t pass well and get balls to target, you will have a hard time getting in your offense. That was our problem today. We just could never get in our offense because of our passing. We were in the right spots. But at that point, you have to execute, and we just didn’t do that at a high level today.”

Anderson said he was proud of what the team accomplished this season. Iowa won seven playoff games in the last five years with two trips to the state tournament after winning two in the previous 20 years.

“It is something to be proud of,” Anderson said. “The seniors did what they were supposed to do. They led from the front and they were there working day in and day out and held people accountable. But I think we did that throughout our entire roster.

“I am proud of all of them. This group was special without a doubt. We believed in ourselves. We just played with heart. We do that every time we step out.”

Kamryn Howard led Iowa with three kills, a block and seven digs. Bentley Richard had two kills, an ace and six digs, and Ana Alexander finished with eight assists and six digs.

Brightyn Ratcliff led the Cardinals with seven kills, five blocks and two aces. Caroline Bower had six kills and three blocks.

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