IOWA CITY, Iowa — The Dubuque Hempstead volleyball season came to an end Thursday night, Oct. 22, as Iowa City Liberty swept the Mustangs in three sets in an IGHSAU regional semifinal played in Iowa City.

Liberty took the match 25-20, 25-13, 26-24, closing out a hard-fought contest in which Hempstead refused to fold, even after falling behind two sets to none. With the win, Liberty advances to the regional final, where it will face Cedar Falls on Tuesday, Oct. 27.

The opening set stayed close for most of the way, with both teams trading leads. Liberty held a 20-18 edge and called a timeout as Hempstead crept closer; the Bolts steadied themselves out of the break and took five of the final seven points to seal the set, 25-20.

Liberty found its rhythm in the second set, pulling away for a 25-13 win as its offense and defense clicked at the same time.

The third set nearly produced the comeback Hempstead needed. The Mustangs grabbed control early, led 13-9 and then 16-13, and pushed the set all the way to match point. But Liberty answered when it mattered most. Edie Miller delivered clutch serving down the stretch, a kill from Sydney Van Heukelom sparked the rally, and the Lightning surged back to take the set 26-24 and end Hempstead’s postseason run.

Liberty outside hitter Ellie Wilson was the difference for the hosts. The team’s No. 1 outside attacker recorded multiple kills throughout the night, played steady defense and serve-receive, and closed out all three sets with kills, including the decisive 26-24 third set.

After the set-one timeout, Liberty leaned on its first pass and defense to set up Wilson, Van Heukelom, Hadley Miller, and Brooklyn Wheeler. In the third set, the Bolts’ slow defensive movement and shaky serve-receive play appeared to open the door for a Hempstead comeback — until one clean first pass and a dig were all it took to flip the momentum back to Liberty.

Hempstead’s final season record was not available at publication time.

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