No. 5 Red Oak volleyball finds way back to Cedar Rapids

RED OAK—It had been three years since Red Oak's volleyball team made the state tournament in Cedar Rapids, but sure enough, this year would be the year that the  Tigers made their return. The appearance was their 10th since 1995.

It would be their first time though, under head coach Angie Montgomery.
Despite going 22-12 in the regular season, Red Oak finished fifth in the Hawkeye Ten with a 5-4 record.
Red Oak knocked off Glenwood and Atlantic in Regionals. The Tigers faced Carroll with a chance to go to the state tournament Red Oak had to tie the match twice and force a fifth game.
Carroll jumped out to a 7-2 lead in the fifth game. Red Oak tied the game, but trailed again 13-9.
The Tigers rallied for five straight points and had a chance at match point.
Carroll responded with two consecutive points and their own match point opportunity.
In the end, it was a Gabi French kill, one of her 21 that night, that ended the match and sent Red Oak  back to state.
Red Oak was swept in the first round of the state tournament by eventual 3A champions, Mount Vernon.