State-bound Rebels finding their groove at right time

BOONE – With poise and determination, Gladbrook-Reinbeck fought its way to the Class 1A state volleyball tournament for the first time in 30 years.
 
The best part about it for Rebels’ coach Paula (Petersen) Kelley, who was on the last team to reach the state tourney, was seeing her players get that experience.
 
“It’s probably better as a coach,” Kelley said. “Just because I had that feeling and I want that for these kids to have that opportunity, so it’s way better as a coach.”
 
With the 25-15, 15-25, 25-19, 25-22 win over Ar-We-Va at Boone High School on Tuesday, Oct. 30, the Rebels battled an inspired attack by Rockets’ senior Emilee Danner, who had 16 kills early in the third set of the Class 1A Region 3 final on the way to a match-high 25.
 
The feelings from Kelley?
 
“(It is) surreal,” Kelley said. “A dream come true, maybe? Having that opportunity to be able to do that is just a blessing and I’m so thankful for it. I really am.”
 
Saari Kuehl knew the history and was glad for her coach to go back on the other side, “She’s so cool. She’s so cool.”
 
Senior outside hitter Haleigh Berendes came up huge in this match, both at the net and serving, as she notched two of her four match aces in the final five points that allowed G-R to rally back in the fourth set from a 22-20 deficit to finish the match in four sets.
 
“It’s the greatest feeling ever,” Berendes said. “I wanted this for so long. Our team has wanted this for so long. We worked for it really hard in practice. One step at a time, one game at a time is what we did.
 
“It’s great, I don’t even know what to say, I’m so excited.”
 

 
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