The fourth time was the charm for the ArWeVa Rockets. After three losses to the CAM Cougars during the regular season the Rockets picked up a win when it mattered most in the Class 1A Region 3 Semifinals in Audubon on Thursday night. The Rockets won 3-1 over the Cougars with set scores of 24-26, 25-18, 25-20, and 25-23.

Emilee Danner lead the way for the Rockets with a stellar night at the net. Danner finished with over 15 kills and multiple successful blocks to lead spark the team.

CAM looked strong early jumping out to an early 10-1 lead in the opening set. The Rockets were able to rally back though with three separate 4-point runs to grab their first lead at 18-17. The Rockets had two set points at 24-22 but the Cougars rallied to win the last four points and take the opener 26-24.

The Rockets would grab early leads though in the next three sets. An early 7-point run in the second set built them an insurmountable lead. The Rockets built a 15-7 lead in the third on their way to a win. Then in the Third the Rockets led 5-2 early. The Cougars would tie the fourth set up on a couple of occasions, including at 20-20. The Rockets had two set points to work with at the end and a return attempt by CAM on the second set point sailed left and the Rockets celebrated.

ArWeVa improved to 17-10 and advanced to the Regional Final in Boone next Tuesday night. The Rockets will face Gladbrook-Reinbeck, another team that avenged three regular season losses to their opponent North Tama in the semifinals with a 3-0 sweep.

CAM’s season ends with a record of 26-10. The Cougars say goodbye to a stellar senior class that made appearances in the Regional Semifinals the past two seasons.