Mediapolis leads volleyball team

Kester, Jandrey receive top honors.

The Mediapolis High School volleyball team had a season to remember, culminating in the Bullettes' first state tournament appearance in 10 years.

Bolstered by the addition of all–state setter Ashlei Jandrey, a transfer from Mount Pleasant, the Bullettes rolled to a perfect 7–0 record in the SEI Superconference North Division and added an SEI Superconference Tournament championship, the school's first since 1993.

The Bullettes set five school records — two individual and three team — along the way before being ousted by top–ranked Rock Valley in a Class 1A state quarterfinal match.

The Bullettes were rewarded for their efforts, landing two players on the All–Hawk Eye first team volleyball squad along with coach of the year Dennis Jandrey.

Jandrey earned coach of the year honors by leading a senior–dominated team to a 31–5–5 record. He has a 387–109–49 career record in 16 years.

Jo Kester, a 5–foot–10 middle hitter, garnered player of the year honors. Kester had a phenomenal senior season for Mediapolis, averaging 3.9 kills, 2.5 blocks and 1.9 digs while serving at a 96 percent clip. When the Bullettes needed a point, Kester was the player they turned to and more often than not she delivered.

Ashlei Jandrey joins the first team for the third time. The senior's versatility allowed Mediapolis to speed up its offense, giving the opposition fits. Jandrey's ability to put up any kind of set necessary, and her ability to find the open spot in the defense with her tips added another dimension to the Bullettes' offense. She averaged 9.5 assists, 1.2 kills, 1.7 digs and 1.3 blocks.

Fort Madison Aquinas had another stellar season. After advancing to a regional final the previous year, the Lady Dons came back with an equally impressive season this year. They won the SEI Superconference South Division with a 6–0 record and lost to Mediapolis in their first appearance in the SEI Superconference Tournament championship match. The Lady Dons saw their season end with a four–game loss to Mediapolis in a Class 1A regional semifinal.

Two of the keys for the Lady Dons' success were senior setter Katie Rung and senior middle hitter Jenn Ping. Rung averaged 8.2 assists, 1.3 kills and 2.5 digs for the Lady Dons. Ping always delivered in the clutch for Lady Dons, having one of her biggest matches in the regional semifinal. Ping averaged 3 kills, 0.6 blocks and 1.9 digs per game.

WACO had a record–setting year, shattering the school mark for wins in a season. The Warriors advanced to the SEI Superconference Tournament finals for the first time ever and tied for the SEI Superconference West Division title with Fairfield Maharishi and Central Lee with a 5–1 record. Senior outside hitter Megan Fort was one of the keys for the Warriors' success. She averaged 2.6 kills and 4.5 digs while serving 98 percent. She missed only four serves in 229 attempts this season.

Central Lee, which lost in a Class 2A regional final the previous year, came back with another solid season. The Lady Hawks advanced to a regional semifinal before losing to highly–ranked Mid–Prairie. Senior outside hitter Tammy Hunold was one of the Lady Hawks' mainstays, averaging 3 kills and 3.7 digs while leading the team with 52 ace serves.

Mount Pleasant won its third straight Southeast Conference title, sharing the crown with Fairfield at 7–1. The Panthers extended their conference winning streak to 21 before the Trojans ended the string late in the season. Senior Rachel Widmer was one of the key players for the Panthers, averaging 3.6 kills. The Panthers won their opening match of the postseason before bowing out with a tough loss to North Scott.

New London has been a perennial volleyball power over the last decade and this year was no exception. The Tigers finished second in the SEI Superconference South Division behind Aquinas and were eliminated from the postseason by the Lady Dons. Senior outside hitter Courtney Pilch, while standing just 5–foot–3, played big for the Tigers for the fourth straight year. Pilch averaged 2.5 kills and 3.2 digs and served at a 95.8 percent clip for the season.

Keokuk Cardinal Stritch senior Jennifer Goetz is on the verge of breaking state records for career scoring and career rebounds on the basketball court. She proved equally dominant on the volleyball court, where she averaged 5.37 kills, 2 blocks and 3.25 digs while serving 95.3 percent. Goetz's 5.37 kills per game was eighth–best in the state in all classes.

Columbus senior middle blocker Ann Mincks proved to be one of the most intimidating players in the area. Mincks, a 5–10 senior, averaged 2.9 kills, 2.8 digs and 1 block per game in helping the Wildcats to a 20–9–3 record.

All–Hawk Eye volleyball teams

First team

Pos. Name, school Yr.

H Jo Kester, Mediapolis Sr.

H Jenn Ping, Fort Madison Aquinas Sr.

H Jennifer Goetz, Keokuk Cardinal Stritch Sr.

H Courtney Pilch, New London Sr.

H Ann Mincks, Columbus Sr.

S Ashlei Jandrey, Mediapolis Sr.

S Katie Rung, Fort Madison Aquinas Sr.

U Megan Fort, WACO Sr.

U Tammy Hunold, Central Lee Sr.

U Rachel Widmer, Mount Pleasant Sr.

Player of the Year — Kester

Coach of the Year — Dennis Jandrey (Mediapolis)

Second team

Pos. Name, school Yr.

H Katy Brueck, Notre Dame Sr.

H Emily Ita, Burlington Jr.

H Jacki Ferrill, Nauvoo–Colusa Sr.

H Anna Seibert, Mount Pleasant Sr.

H Kim Fedler, Marquette Sr.

S Crystal Corzatt, Southern Sr.

S Tara Kaltefleiter, Marquette Jr.

U Jill Helling, Fort Madison Aquinas Sr.

U Sara Weirather, Central Lee Sr.

U Margaret Kuenzler, Mediapolis Sr.

Honorable mention

Burlington — Shanae Diewold, Michelle Diewold, Hannah Luttenegger, Megan Wynn

Carthage — Lexanne Dickerson, Cari Twaddle

Central Lee — Megan Fedler, Amy O'Reilly, Erin Ruth

Columbus — Ashley Orris, Emily Wilson

Danville — Sandra Brakeville, Tabitha Fraise

Fort Madison Aquinas — Jill Braden, Angela Dunlay, Allison Meierotto

Hamilton — Jenna Lowe

Harmony — Jessie Kennedy, Anee Zane

LaHarpe — Heather Harkey, Jessie Rodeffer

Keokuk — Sally Hakes

Keokuk Cardinal Stritch — Krissy High, Erika Lambros, Jessica O'Blenness

Louisa–Muscatine — Valerie Beck, Christina Schulte

Marquette — Dana Gregory, Kaci Stuekerjuergen

Mediapolis — Ashlee Baker, Meta Kramer, Brenna Nelson, Sarah Schulte

Mount Pleasant — Alicia Bowlin

Nauvoo–Colusa — Jessi Harris, Brooke Newton

New London — Megan Alden, Stephanie Fischer, Katie Lorber, Rylee Olsen, Piper Willamson

Notre Dame — Heather Brueck, Beth Hammer, Chrissy Walker

Southern — Nichol Johnson, Laura Symmonds

Van Buren — Shelby Spates

WACO — Lindsay Eichelberger, Jessica Messer, Brittany Yutzy

Wapello — Jacque Ward

Warsaw — Crystal Hurt, Sara Mulch

West Burlington — Stephanie Carlson, Becky Evans

Winfield–Mount Union — Melanie Carlson, Samantha Edwards, Danielle Mullen