CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa-- The Wartburg volleyball team (20-5 overall) advanced to the Iowa Conference Tournament Championship match with its 3-1 win over Central Friday. This will mark the eighth appearance in the tournament championship in program history.

The Knights also moved their winning streak to seven.



Conference MVP junior Aryn Jones (Marion) led the team with 10 kills and freshman Abby Staebell (Hudson) had a .583 hitting percentage.

Sophomore Mallary Erbes (Urbandale) had 20 assists and junior Maria Brown (Peosta) had 15 as they co-ran the offense. Sophomore Lizzy Blough (Dike) had three service aces and classmate Kathryn Nasby (Jackson, Minn.) followed with two.

In the first set, the Orange and Black used an eight-point run to extend its lead to 18-9. In set two, Wartburg compiled a six-point run to make it 20-11 and finished the frame with a team hitting percentage of .500.

The third set was all Central but the Knights fought off set point five times as the Dutch won 25-14.

In the final frame, the score was evened at four all on a Nasby service ace and pulled ahead 8-7 on an ace by senior Claire Willenbring (Dyersville). The Orange and Black later went on an eight-point run to lead 20-9.

Wartburg will face Coe in the Tournament Championship match at 3 p.m. Saturday.