One year ago, the journey ended for the Pella girls team against perennial powerhouse Assumption in the state quarterfinals. In 2023, the #7 in 1A Dutch were able to flip the script, and pulled off an upset of the #2 Knights Saturday to advance to the final four. Pella defeated Davenport Assumption 5-3 in Fairfield.

Head Coach Josh McCollam says the Dutch got off to a hot start in a rematch of the 2022 Quarterfinals, winning four of the six singles matches. Emily Blom, Claire Smock and Bryn Higginbotham all came away with straight set singles victories, each dropping no more than three games. Mallory Westerkamp started up 3-0 but was unable to close out the first set, losing 4-6. But, McCollam says she came out in the second set with the same energy as the beginning of the match and didn’t look back, winning 6-0 and taking the third set tiebreaker 10-3. In doubles, it was Pella’s #3 doubles team of Westerkamp and Higginbotham that got the fifth and final point needed by the Dutch, defeating the sisters Remrey 6-1, 6-3.

Pella advances to the semifinals along with Central DeWitt and Waterloo Columbus. Spirit Lake and Clarinda play Monday for the final spot.