Viqueens earn first trip to state tournament

CORNING – The Stanton Viqueens' volleyball team found its place in the school's record books, being the first volleyball team to make it to the State Tournament.

Coming into the game, the Viqueens were considered the underdog after losing twice to the third-ranked Bedford Bulldogs at the Bedford Tournament Sept. 25.
On paper, the Viqueens also appeared to be the lesser of the two teams, as Bedford had three hitters with 200-plus kills and another two on the cusp of breaking the 200-kill mark.
The Viqueens fell behind early 11-7, but fought back.
Behind two blocks by senior hitter Molly Haley and kills by sisters Kadie and Carmen Subbert, the Viqueens came to life, tying the score at 14.
The Viqueens' confidence grew as the first game continued, pulling away to a 24-19 win.  It’s the team's first game win over Bedford this season.
Stanton found themselves in a hole again in the second game, slipping behind 7-5 and even further behind later in the game, 18-13, as the Bulldogs' front line continued forcing defensive errors.  But the Viqueens fought back, once again, behind the serving sophomore setter Roey Sink and the front-line play of Kadie Subbert, as Stanton went on a five-point run, and eventually tied the second game at 20.
The Viqueens gained the lead on a kill by freshman Carmen Subbert, which they wouldn't relinquish, winning the second game 25-21.
The Bulldogs were not going let their season end without a fight, holding the third game to a tie in the first 16 points, 8-8.  The Viqueens struggled passing the ball and receiving the Bedford serves in the third game, slipping behind, 16-9.
Stanton pulled within a point late in the game, but Bedford won the third game, 25-23.
Now with the momentum, the Bulldogs jumped on the Viqueens, leading early in the fourth game, 8-3.  
Behind two kills by sophomore Rachel Sorensen, the Viqueens kept up with the Bulldogs, scoring point-for-point.
Again, Sink and Kadie Subbert led the Viqueens, as the combination of strong serving and timely kills gave Stanton an eventual lead, as they caught and passed the Bulldogs at 15.
The momentum seemed to flip, now working for Stanton, as the Viqueens held the lead throughout the fourth game.  Kadie Subbert finished off Bedford's season with a spike that the Bulldogs were unable to handle, and the Viqueens punched their ticket to Cedar Rapids, winning 25-21.
The Viqueens will face Grandview Park Baptist in the quarterfinals, Thursday, Nov. 11 at noon.
Grandview Park Baptist (25-10) finished the season ranked third, one place ahead of Bedford, and five spots before eighth-ranked Stanton.