This report is from:
The Hawk Eye
By Matt Levins
The Hawk Eye
• All-Hawk Eye squad isn't dominated by one school.
The high school volleyball season was one of the most competitively balanced ones in recent years.
While no area teams advanced to state, several teams made deep runs in the postseason. Roseville made a solid showing in Illinois, while the SEI Superconference races went down to the wire in all three divisions. New London, Fort Madison Aquinas and Marquette shared the South Division crown, Central Lee won the West Division for the sixth year in a row and Iowa Mennonite School won the North Division in a close race with Mediapolis and Winfield-Mount Union.
That balance is reflected in the All-Hawk Eye team, where no school got more than one player on the first team.
Union senior Stephanie Higgins was a dominating force from her middle blocker position. She pounded down 203 kills to go along with 101 blocks, 70 digs and 13 ace serves to lead the Yankees to their second straight 11-0 record in the Lincoln Trail Conference. She signed a national letter of intent to play volleyball for Ohio State University. She was a two-time Lincoln Trail Conference Player of the Year and earned The Hawk Eye's Player of the Year honors.
Fort Madison Aquinas junior setter Katie Rung proved to one of the most versatile players in the area. Rung was the quarterback for the Lady Dons, who enjoyed one of their best seasons ever and advanced to a Class 1A regional final before losing to IMS in a fifth game. Rung not only was a superb passer and setter, she also showed the adept ability to find holes in the defense with her quick tips. She averaged 1.2 kills, 2.7 digs and 9.8 assists per game while serving 92.8 percent with a team-high 101 aces.
Aquinas coach Mike Helling, who helped the Lady Dons tie for the division title and advance within one game of their first state tournament, was named Coach of the Year.
Burlington senior Katie Pilger may have been the hardest hitter in the area. She led the resurgent Grayhounds to their best season in four years and an upset of Mount Pleasant in regionals before losing in a regional semifinal to Davenport Central. Pilger, an outside hitter, averaged 2.4 kills per game and finished the season with 54 aces.
Central Lee also had one of its best seasons ever, advancing to a Class 2A regional final before losing to Davis County. Senior outside hitter Angie Ruth was an integral part of the Lady Hawks' success before sustaining a season-ending knee injury late in the year. She averaged 2.3 kills and 4.1 digs per game while serving up 59 aces.
New London grabbed a share of the South Division title and advanced to a regional semifinal despite losing several key players from last year's state tournament team. Junior outside hitter Courtney Pilch was a consistent player all season for the Tigers, averaging 2.8 kills and 4.7 digs while serving 93 percent with 40 aces.
Marquette senior outside hitter Bobbi Steffensmeier continued the Warriorettes' tradition of producing outstanding volleyball players and teams. Steffensmeier averaged 3.7 kills and 3.8 digs while serving 91.1 percent. The Warriorettes saw their season end in a heartbreaking five-game district match against Aquinas.
Mount Pleasant continued its recent run of success by capturing the Southeast Conference title. Junior setter Ashlei Jandrey played a vital role for the Panthers, averaging 7.7 assists, 1.7 kills and 2.9 digs while serving 52 aces.
Mediapolis junior outside hitter Jo Kester was a dominating force, leading the Bullettes' late-season surge. She averaged 3.2 kills while serving 97 percent for the season. [She also set a new school record for kills in a match in the regional quarterfinals. Kester's 28 kills against New London erased the previous record of 26 kills set by Dori Myers in 1992. ]
Keokuk Cardinal Stritch junior outside hitter Jennifer Goetz proved she is far more than a one-sport wonder. She led the up-and-coming Lionettes to a 15-12-2 record before they lost to Aquinas in districts. Goetz, an all-state basketball player, averaged 5 kills, 3.3 digs and 2.2 blocks while serving 94 percent with 24 aces for the young Lionettes.