Des Moines Christian sweeps Red Oak in regional final | Sports

(Urbandale) — Red Oak volleyball’s bid for a state tournament trip ended at the hands of Des Moines Christian in a Class 3A Region 3 Final Tuesday night.

The 3A No. 5 Lions dominated the first two sets and held off a valiant Red Oak effort to complete the sweep (25-12, 25-12, 30-28) to advance to the state tournament for the third consecutive year.

“Des Moines Christian is a fabulous team,” Red Oak head coach Angie Montgomery said after the loss. “They’re a tough, tough team. I thought we played our hearts out and left everything on the floor.”

Red Oak scored the first point in each set. Des Moines Christian quickly settled in during set one, racing to a 10-3 lead en route to the 25-12 win.

The Tigers stayed afloat early in set two, tying the contest at 8. However, the Lions (37-7) finished strong, outscoring Red Oak 17-4 down the stretch to take the second frame, 25-12.

Red Oak looked determined to extend the night or make Des Moines Christian earn their third straight trip to state. The Tigers (26-13) led by as many as four in the third frame. The two squads traded points, tying at 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20.

Des Moines Christian eventually grew their lead to 24-22, but Red Oak staved off two match points and took a 25-24. However, Des Moines Christian responded to extend the frame. Red Oak fought off another match point at 27-26 but couldn’t do it again as Des Moines Christian prevailed for the 30-28 win.

“To take them to 30-28 shows we weren’t ready to give up yet,” Montgomery said. “So much fight. They knew everybody wearing blue was rooting against them. We couldn’t be more proud to represent Red Oak. We just needed to be two points better.”

The talented duo of Gabby Lombardi and Hadley Hardersen flustered Red Oak throughout the night. The pair accounted for 32 kills. Lombardi — a Fresno State commit — led the way with 19 while Hardersen pitched in 13.

“(Lombardi) hit a lot of different shots,” Montgomery said. “We adjusted one way, and she just hit another angle.”

Keely Jones had seven kills to lead Red Oak, while Merced Ramirez added five winners. The loss ends Red Oak’s season at 26-13. Ramirez, Hailey Rydberg, and Olivia Bozwell suited up for the final time.

“This was the most rewarding season in my time here,” Montgomery said. “We did so much mindset training and mental toughness to get us to this point. There are kids in that locker room who will not take that jersey off tonight. That makes it all worth it.”

Click below to view the full interview with Coach Montgomery.