—Submitted photo Humboldt volleyball team members are, front row, left to right: Livvy Becker, Jennika Beach, Jori Hajek, Rylie Satern and Addie Thompson. Middle: Lily Groat, Kaylee Shaner, Kailee Dettmann, Jayda Hoefer and Deni McDaniel. Back: Emily Zaugg, Marissa Kaufman, Kendal Clark and Kayla Gieber. Head coach is Justin McDaniel. Assistants are Kathi Beach and Brenda Larsen.

CEDAR RAPIDS — Kendal Clark lived through it, and even has the video evidence for proof.

The Humboldt senior still does a double take, though, when she watches the film of her Wildcats rallying past MOC-Floyd Valley to secure the program’s first-ever state volleyball berth last week.

“I get a pit in my stomach, especially when we’re down 14-12 (at match point in the fifth set),” Clark admits. “I think to myself, ‘did we actually pull it off? How?’ Like my eyes are going to deceive me. Then Emily (Zaugg) gets a big block to make it 14-13. And Lily (Groat) makes a great pass. Deni (McDaniel) sets up Jori (Hajek) for a kill. The emotions kick in and we’re back (from the edge of elimination).

“It all happens so fast (in real time). We didn’t want to panic and get this close again (after coming up short in the regional finals every season during their varsity careers) without earning that banner. We just refused to lose.”

No. 10 Humboldt (33-3 overall) will now take on top-ranked Osage (31-2) in a Class 3A state quarterfinal here on Monday at 8 p.m. The Wildcats may be an underdog on paper, but if conventional wisdom indicates they should just be happy making the trip, think again.

“Getting to state was check one,” Clark said. “We already faced (the Green Devils) once (at the Mason City Invitational during the regular season. We lost (21-19 and 21-17), but it was at the end of a long day and we’ll both have much fresher legs this time around.

“It’s so important to have the right mindset and attitude. Why not us? We have to believe. That’s the first step. Then it’s up to us to make something big happen.”

Clark, Zaugg, Groat, McDaniel, Hajek and Jayda Hoefer are the leaders for Humboldt. All seniors, with Hajek in her fourth year as a starter and Clark and McDaniel right behind at three seasons in the lineup.

“Our motto all year has been ‘unfinished business,'” Wildcat head coach Justin McDaniel said. “We talked about it right after the regional final. We’re not done. We’re not satisfied. We want to go down to state, compete and play up to our potential. It’s a tough task, but we’re not going to back down from the challenge.

“We got behind 9-2 early against (Osage in the first set at Mason City), and I think we were a little intimidated, given they are the state’s top-ranked team. But as the match went on, we got some things figured out and the girls started to realize we were right there.”

Hajek has recorded 333 kills and 402 digs in 2020. Clark is at 254 and 342, respectively.

McDaniel has 846 assists, while Zaugg and Groat are the team leaders in blocks. Hajek tops the entire class in serve accuracy, and Groat has tallied 50 ace serves.

Humboldt’s six-senior starting lineup is flanked by classmates Kailee Dettmann and Kaylee Shaner as reserves. Junior Rylie Satern and sophomore Addie Thompson also played off the bench in the thrilling win over MOC-Floyd Valley at Schaller.

“We were so close in the past, over and over again,” Clark said. “So it felt great to finally clear that hurdle. It was just a huge weight lifted off of our shoulders.

“We’ve been together (on the court) for 12 years now, so we basically know (the tendencies and actions) of each other before we even do it. And we have fun together. That’s the biggest thing. We take it seriously, obviously, but we also have to enjoy each moment – no matter how big it seems.”

Clark is a state wrestling champion and a state track qualifier. She was also a starter on Humboldt’s state tournament-qualifying softball squad this past summer, along with Hajek and Thompson.

“There’s just something special about making it to state in a team sport like volleyball and softball,” Clark said. “It’s a different experience for everything, and there are unique reasons for (each season), but this is new for all of us in volleyball. We want to make the most of it.”

The Green Devils have qualified for state in each of the last five years. Osage’s losses this fall came against No. 3 (Class 2A) Dike-New Hartford and secon-ranked (4A) Waverly-Shell Rock.

Senior Danielle Johnson (307 kills), sophomore Jaden Francis (239 digs), junior Kaebre Sullivan (39 blocks) and senior Ellie Bobinet (831 assists) are the Green Devils’ statistical leaders.

McDaniel added the Wildcats “greatly appreciate” the program support from the Humboldt community, which “is second to none.”

“It’s so important to our success,” McDaniel said. “We expected crowds to be smaller this season because of COVID, but they’ve continued to support us no matter what. Win or lose, we know they’ll always be here for us. Humboldt is terrific about backing its athletic programs.”

Clark agreed.

“They really inspire us to keep going, even when (adversity strikes),” Clark said. “We’ve received letters, messages and notes throughout the season telling us ‘congratulations’ and ‘great job.’ We know a lot of them will be making the trip (on Monday night). We’re very thankful and grateful for their belief in us.”

The Wildcats are 119-22 overall over the last four seasons, and the team is 181-29 since 2015.