Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

TIFFIN – It was Clear Creek Amana that made the key plays late in a thrilling five-set regular season win over Benton Community last month.

In the rematch it was the Bobcats that played the role of closer.

Class 4A No. 14 Benton Community avenged the regular season loss to the Clippers with a 25-19, 27-25, 25-23 sweep of No. 11 Clear Creek Amana in a 4A, Region 5 semifinal on Thursday in Tiffin.

“We finished, we hit some shots when we needed to,” Benton Community coach Mike Embretson said. “When we saw them earlier in the year we got a little soft, we got a little passive and we didn’t do that tonight we stayed aggressive and that was a big key.”

Senior Alyssa Tegeler had a team-high 13 kills to lead four Bobcats with at least seven kills as Benton Community (25-14) advance to take on fifth-ranked Marion (35-8) in the Region 5 title game on Tuesday.

Clear Creek Amana had its season close at 27-12.

“Benton has gotten a lot better and they came ready to play,” Clear Creek Amana coach Jackie Clubb said. “Tegeler stepped up, she did a nice job tonight.”

Just like the regular season meeting in Van Horne back on September 7 the regional rematch was tight.

In the Clear Creek Amana regular season win the five sets were determined by a total of 12 points.

On Thursday only a 25-19 win by the Bobcats in the opening set was decided by more than two.

“I think that’s just the heart of our team,” Embretson said. “One of our philosophies is take it first and ask questions later and that’s what we are doing. They are going after it.”

Each set seemed to follow a similar script.

Benton Community would jump out to an early lead, Clear Creek Amana would battle back and the Bobcats would make critical plays late to secure the win.

The Bobcats snapped a 16-all tie in the opening set with a 7-1 burst on its way to a six-point win.

Benton led 9-2 early in the second, Clear Creek Amana took a 22-20 lead on back-to-back kills by Silvana Kabolo but the Bobcats came up clutch late.

A kill by junior Addison Phillips fought off match point at 25-24 and started a string of three straight points for Benton as the Bobcats won 27-25.

“We made our passes and that was a big success for us because we knew that CCA is a good team and you know you are going to get good hits coming after you,” Embretson said. “We positioned ourselves in our right spots and the kids did what they were asked.”

Benton led the final set 13-8, Clear Creek came back to pull even at 23-all on an ace block by Sam Schrage but the Bobcats again delivered late this time on back-to-back ills by sophomore Piper Nelson that closed out the match.

Nelson had all seven of her kills in the final set as the Bobcats secured the win.

“She was a little delayed in starting but then she started getting aggressive,” Embretson said. “She was aggressive and it was awesome because she is definitely a force.”

Senior Calia Clubb had a match-high 14 kills in her final prep match while sophomore Bliss Beck added 11 kills.

Senor Morgan Etscheidt had three kills and senior setter Jaclyn Pitcher had an ace serve and six assists.

“It’s a lot to ask in the postseason, it’s a whole new season and I thought our seniors did a great job,” Jackie Clubb said. “They stepped up and they were ready to go.”

Clear Creek Amana              19  25  23

Benton Community              25  27  25

Clear Creek Amana (Kills-aces-blocks)

Jaclyn Pitcher 0-1-0, Bliss Bek 11-1-0, Silvana Kabolo 3-0-1, Calia Clubb 14-1-0, Morgan Etscheidt 3-0-0, Sam Schrage 2-0-1, Addison Gisleson 2-2-0, Totals 35-5-2.

Assists – Kenadi Wood 16, Jaclyn Pitcher 6, Ashlyn Pitcher 3

Benton Community (Kills-aces-blocks)

Olivia Janss 1-0-0, Janelle Morris 1-0-0, Emma Townsley 1-0-2, Addison Phillips 8-1-0, Alyssa Tegeler 13-1-4, Grace Embretson 8-0-0, Piper Nelson 7-2-0, Totals 39-4-6.

Assists – Grace Embretson 25, Emma Townsley 2

Did you enjoy this subscription free article? Help keep Your Prep Sports free by donating.