Tigers one win from state

Red Oaks set the tone early with its balancing attack and never lets Atlantic get into rhythm in a 25-13, 25-12, 25-12 sweep in the Class 3A, Region 4 semifinals Thursday.
The win advanced the Class 3A, No. 3 rated Tigers (37-2) into last night’s regional finals with a trip to state on the line vs. Clarinda (26-11). Results of that match can be found in the next edition of the Red Oak Express.
In its fourth win of the season over the Trojans (18-19) in the semifinals, Red Oak was dominant from start to finish in the match, opening set one on a 7-1 run, set two on 10-3 run and set three on a 10-1 run.
Red Oak coach Angie Montgomery said she was most impressed with how balanced her team was in the win.
“It is going to be no big surprise that we have two outstanding hitters on the outside but it’s the supporting pieces like Natalie (Johnston) and Karly (Jenkins) in the middle, Ellie (O’Neal) on the right side. Keely (Jones) loves that back row pike. But it’s those extra pieces I think make us a pretty dangerous team.”
The Tigers hit a red hot .443 as a team with 52 kills. Jocelyn O’Neal led the way with 17 kills. Jones and Jenkins added 11 each and Ellie O’Neal and Johnston added five each.
 “We were just extremely efficient and always ready for the ball,” Montgomery said. “I just think not only does that keep a block guessing but just it keeps your defense trying to figure out where it’s going to come from next and I just love seeing that this time of the year.”
Freshman Reese Harlan led Atlantic with six kills.

Red Oak 25-25-25,
Clarke 11-13-8
Red Oak notched its 17th win in a row with a dominant 25-11, 25-13, 25-8 sweep of Clarke in the Class 3A, Region 4 volleyball first round last Tuesday.
The Tigers, who finished the regular season ranked No. 2 in the final Class 3A polls, were in control all night at the net, knocking down 40 kills on .326 hitting and recording nine blocks.
Karly Jenkins had 11 kills and four blocks and Jocelyn O’Neal added 10 kills, three blocks and nine digs.
Keely Jones chipped in eight kills.
Setter Emily Sebeniecher had 32 assists to go with two aces
Mariel Ramirez paced the defense with 16 digs.