Xavier High School - Cedar Rapids, Iowa

No.12 Saints spike Lions, 3-0

The Xavier Saints won't have to beat the biggest schools in Iowa to reach the state volleyball tournament this year, but they don't think that gives them an advantage.

The IGHSAU created an extra class for girls volleyball this season, putting the 40 largest schools in Class 5A, but the Saints think they'll have plenty of competition in 4A.

"There are still just as many good teams in the class that we're in, so it's still going to be tough," senior Melissa Everett said Tuesday night. "But we're pretty determined."

The 12th-ranked Saints opened the 2012 campaign Tuesday with an impressive 25-21, 25-12, 25-21 verdict at Linn-Mar, which is unranked in Class 5A.

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Xavier knocks off Hempstead, 48-7

The Xavier Saints opened the 2012 football season at home Friday against Dubuque Hempstead and in a very business-like fashion put them away, 48-7.

Defense was the word for the Saints on opening night. The defense gave up only nine rushing yards on 18 carries and forced two fumbles and three interceptions.

“The scout team gave us the best prep for this game,” said Saints linebacker Emiliano Martinez. “The hard work paid off and our defense cares for each other. We pick each other up and that makes
us a solid unit.”

It was an impressive start.

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Erbe named softball coach at Jefferson

Brian Erbe is the new softball coach at Cedar Rapids Jefferson, it was announced Tuesday.

Erbe had been the softball coach at Cedar Rapids Xavier. He succeeds Larry Niemeyer, whose contract was not renewed following the 2012 season.

Erbe, a 1972 Jefferson grad, is an at-risk facilitator at Jefferson, where he has coached football and basketball. He also was a softball assistant for Niemeyer before taking the Xavier job 10 years ago.

Jefferson was 36-6 but lost in the regional finals for the third straight season. The J-Hawks graduated six players from that club.

Xavier was 24-18. Erbe, 58, did not coach the team because of a heart attack he suffered in May. He told Iowa Prep Sports that he has been given a clean bill of health to resume coaching.

Xavier, Marion make Register football poll

The Xavier Saints and Marion Indians had modest records during the 2011 football season, but the Des Moines Register thinks they'll be two of the strongest teams in their respective classes this year.

The Saints, who finished 5-5 last season, were ranked No. 7 in Class 4A in the Register's preseason poll announced Sunday.

The Indians, who finished 4-5 last year, were ranked No. 8 in Class 3A.

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