The Indianola volleyball team fell in a heartbreaker to the defending class 4A champs Western Dubuque in the quarterfinal round at the state tournament Tuesday 3-2, as heard live on 94.3 KNIA.

The Indians won the first set 25-23 in a back and forth matchup, that would set the tone for the rest of the contest, neither team able to find much of an advantage without the other storming back. Set two belonged to the Bobcats 25-21, but the Indians ended the third set on an 8-2 run to claim momentum going into the fourth with a 2-1 lead.

The momentum did not last long after an Indianola 3-0 lead, as the Bobcats then dominated the middle of the set as they built a lead as high as nine, before the Indians marched back and got within a point before Western Dubuque closed it out for the win to force the fifth set 25-22. The fifth set was again close, tied at 10 each late but the Bobcats took control and won 15-11 to advance.

Head coach Kent Halstead said the close loss doesn’t define the Indians season as a failure, it is something they should be overly proud of.

“You have to be proud of your efforts. You don’t always have to get first in state to be proud of your efforts, that’s a bad message to send. Shawn Johnson’s most favorite medal she ever got was her silver medal in the all-around, because of the work she put into it. So I’m proud of our kids and our town for all the work we’ve put into this.”

Aspen Nelson led the Indians with 24 kills, while Tori Runyan earned 51 assists. The Indians graduate three seniors.