Round Top-Carmine Rolls Past Granger, 15-12, 15-3

Traditional 1A power Round Top-Carmine, playing in its ninth straight Final Four, used state tournament experience and a solid all-around game to eliminate Granger and set up a much-anticipated showdown with Windthorst, which is seeking its 6th straight title, in the finals of the 1A state volleyball championships on Saturday.

5'4" senior Haley Goebel, who plays much taller, led RTC with 12 kills and 5'8" junior Kirstin Siptak added 8. Granger, making its first ever appearance in the state tournament, was led by 6'0" senior Vanessa Freeman, who had 12 kills. No other Lion had more than three kills.

"It took us awhile to wake up," said RTC coach Tanya Nygrin, whose Cubettes improved to 35-4. "The first game we seemed very tense. We weren't playing our style. We're not a tipping team and we came out tipping. Once we started swinging, we were were OK."

"I think I let the big girl (Freeman) intimidate me at first," said Goebel, who is eight inces shorter.

"It's like our ability just took over and we relaxed and played our game," said Nygrin. "Tomorrow we just have to go out and play our game. I have great respect for Windthorst and their tradition. Everybody thought this was an unlikely team to get back to state, but I think champions hate to lose more than they love to win and that's this team."

Granger (24-10) coach Marian Kelso said, "We came out ready, with a lot of confidence. We just missed serves at crucial times. I think a lot was nerves. We wanted to come in and play hard and play our game and we did that in the first game. Then I think their tradition and experience took over."

Windthorst and RTC met earlier this year in tournament pool play with Windthorst winning in three.

Statistical leaders

Round Top-Carmine
Kills - Haley Goebel 12, Kersin Siptak 8, Jillian Graham 5, Rachelle Etzel 2, Jenny Stockton and Kathryn Cordes 1
Blocks - Kathryn Cordes 1S
Assists - Kathryn Cordes 25

Granger
Kills - Vanessa Freeman 12, Jolene Volek and Kari Michalik 3, Randa Whittley and Jamie Cervenka 2 each
Blocks - Jolene Volek 1S, 1A; Vanessa Freeman 1S; Kari Michalk1A;
Assists - Jamie Cervenka 20