CEDAR RAPIDS - Sixth-ranked Aplington-Parkersburg shook off a slow start to advance to the Class 2A semifinals with a 3-1 victory over East Sac County in first round action at the Iowa State Volleyball Tournament.

Justine Young knocked down 12 kills and was part of a Falcon block party that forced East Sac County into 29 attack errors. Aplington-Parkersburg recorded 14 solo block and 11 block assists in the match with Young recording four solo block and three block assists. Teammate Jordie VanderHolt added kills while Chelsea Poppens and Chelsea Wiegmann both added nine.

East Sac County received an outstanding performance from Melissa Tjaden, who led all players with 19 kills.

Aplington-Parkersburg improves to 30-6 and advances to the 2A semifinals Friday at 6 p.m. East Sac County ends its season at 31-3.

Dike-New Hartford

Sophomore Hannah Willms showed why she is one of the top sophomore volleyball players in Iowa. The 5-11 Willms had 13 kills, eight blocks and 23 digs to help ninth-ranked Dike-New Hartford to a 3-1 victory over second-ranked and unbeaten Durant in 2A first round action.

The Wolverines broke a 1-1 tie by forcing 16 Durant attack errors in the final two games. Durant was also hurt by losing starter Heather Brus to an injury in the middle of the third game.

In addition to Willms' heroics, Heather Hogellucht added eight kills while Emily Merfeld added 18 digs.

Durant, who opened the tournament without losing a game or a match, was led by Katelyn Lilienthal's 13 kills and 17 digs while Julia Brus added 12.

Dike-New Hartford advances to the Class 2A semifinals Friday at 6 p.m. while Durant ends its season at 35-1.

Waterloo Columbus

The rematch of last year's Class 2A championship game wasnt the five-game epic of last year as top-ranked Western Christian swept Waterloo Columbus, 3-0 in first round action at the Girls State Volleyball Tournament.

Kate Buyert had 11 kills to lead the 48-2 Wolfpack, who advance to play Aplington-Parkersburg at 6 p.m. in the Class 2A semifinals Friday night. Western Christian recorded 12 service aces, led by Kari Van Beek's five.

Savannah Hayes and Lauren Friedman both had six kills for Waterloo Columbus, who end the year at 37-8.