SBL Extreme Back For Another State Title

Kicking off the 2015 AAU fifth grade volleyball state tournament, the Sergeant Bluff Luton Extreme once again qualified for another chance at the gold. Returning from a state title last year, this SBL team arrived at this tournament with a lot of weight riding on their shoulders. Too add on to the pressure, starting libero, Chloe Goldsmith, was out with the flu.

Starting the day with pool play, SBL Extreme, coached by Brenda Sale, Jocelyn Hinkel, and Kim Brown, breezed through their first 8 games going 7-1. Receiving a first round bye, the SBL Extreme went into their first round bracket game well prepared. SBL was first met by the West Side Strikers and flew through their first matches with a score of 21-16 and 21-4. Heading next into the final eight, SBL then faced the Ankeny Cougars. Receiving their first loss in tournament play, SBL fell 21-14, but that didn’t faze this determined team. SBL came back to win their next two matches 21-18 and 15-12 to advance them to the final four. SBL was met by the Sioux City Attack in the final four. These teams were no strangers to each other, having played each other numerous times during the regular season.  SBL, once again, had a rocky start losing the first match 21-15. Coming back to win the second game 21-19, SBL took it to a third game bringing it down to the wire at 14-14. But in the end, SBL had the momentum and drive winning 16-14. In the finals, SBL Extreme was given the opportunity to defend their last years state title. SBL once again dug themselves a hole, when being outscored by Remsen Union 11-4 to start off the first match. Rallying back, the SBL Extreme made a 17-6 run to put them over the top and win the first match 21-17. This team found their momentum, coasting to a 21-10 back to back state title victory.

“What makes these wins so special is we are not a team that tried out for an elite club team, we are just a group of girls playing volleyball together, and enjoy playing. The future is very bright for these girls,” coach Brenda Sale explained.

Following there championship win, SBL players Isabelle Lenz and Emma Salker were named to the All- Tournament Team, along with Remsen Union`s Ellie Hillbrands and Taylor Harpenah, Tri County`s Sierra Nielson and Lydia Van Kley, and Sioux City Attack`s Lucy Mehlhaff. Ellie Hillbrands was named Tournament Captain. “ I`m super proud of these girls, they have a great work ethic and good attitudes. When you teach them something the really go out and try and do it. I`ve seen these girls go out and do things that a ten year old doesn’t look like they should be able to do. That is a testament to them, how coachable they are and how hard they work at it. I couldn’t be prouder of a group of kids,” coach Brenda Sale concluded.