Sigourney volleyball fans might have woke up with a few extra gray hairs this week and the playoff matchup on Wednesday is certainly the culprit. With the season on the line and two evenly matched teams duking it out for the third time, it was the Savages that stood tall at night’s end with a five set victory in a class 1A quarterfinal bout against Iowa Valley. 

In front of a packed Sigourney gym, the rubber match between these South Iowa Cedar League foes featured every set being decided by four points or less and three of the five needing extra points. The first set was plenty of indication that a wild night would ensue with the Savages needing 31 points to emerge 31-29. They grabbed the second as well by a 26-24 tally. The Tigers (13-26) would not go down easy and took the next two by 25-21 and 29-27 scores. Savage faithful could breathe a sigh of relief after a Tiger hitting error led to a 15-13 triumph in the fifth and decisive set. Raegan Rozenboom brought the boom with 22 kills, 24 digs, and was successful on 34 of 36 serves with four aces. Brookelyn Hemsley dished out 38 assists, Maddie Hornback managed 32 digs, and Emma Hammes recorded nine blocks. The team served at a 96% efficiency. 

Sigourney improves to 17-13 and advances to Monday’s semifinal round at #4 Lisbon (35-6).