Mediapolis stops Dons

Chris Faulkner/Sports Editor

Jill Helling of Aquinas skies for the spike against a taller Mediapolis blocker in the championship match of the Southeast Superconference Tournament Tuesday night at the Loren Walker Arena, Southeastern Community College, in West Burlington. Mediapolis won the title, beating the Lady Dons 2-0. In the background are Jenn Ping (17) and Jill Braden (11). - Chris Faulkner/Daily Democrat

WEST BURLINGTON -- All good things must come to an end.

Aquinas High School saw its unbeaten volleyball season suffer its first match loss as the fifth-ranked Lady Dons fell to 16th-ranked Mediapolis 15-2, 15-7, Tuesday night in the finals of the Southeast Superconference Tournament.

The final bracket rounds were played at Loren Walker Arena, Southeastern Community College.

The Dons ran into a buzzsaw in Mediapolis. The Bullettes ran a number of quick sets and also blocked much of what Aquinas' vaunted offense spiked at them.

Mediapolis coach Dennis Jandrey said the Bullettes simply took care of their side of the net.

"What we did was, we were just consistent," Jandrey said. "We knew if we came and did what we do offensively, we'd be right in the hunt of it."

Although the two teams had not met this year, Jandrey knew of Aquinas' firepower. But it wasn't anything his team had not seen before.

The Bullettes started the first few weekends of the season at tourneys at Davenport West, North Scott and Waterloo West.

"They (the Dons) mix it up a little bit," Jandrey said. "They run the quick hits and push to the outside. But our middles have seen that all year. Those trips up north have paid off."

Mediapolis dominated Game 1, but Aquinas made a brief run in Game 2. After Mediapolis jumped out on top 9-2, Aquinas came back to within 9-7. But that was all the scoring for the Dons.

Jill Kester hit the ball well for Mediapolis, but Coach Jandrey said outside hitters Ashlee Baker and Margaret Kunzler also made some big hits. Brenda Nelson led the Bullettes in blocks, and setter Ashlei Jandrey ran the offense.

"I felt the big difference was the serving," Aquinas coach Mike Helling said, "both serving and serve receive. We struggled running our offense."

Helling was also aware of Mediapolis' offense with their quick hits. He said that in the first game, "We were a little back on our heels."

Overall, however, Helling isn't worried about the single loss against 25 victories and a tie.

"In terms of games of importance, this is way down the list," Helling said. He said the Dons are gunning for the South Division title and a good run in the postseason.

"We're OK," Helling said. "We're right where we want to be. We want to make improvements between now and the end of the season."

Aquinas won the quarterfinal match by beating WACO 3-15, 15-9, 15-9. The Lady Dons then dispatched a strong Iowa Mennonite team 15-8, 15-7. Mediapolis had beaten New London in the semifinals.

IMS got past New London 15-11, 15-13 in the third-place match.

Jenn Ping made 24 kills on 58 of 64 hitting during the night. Jill Helling hit 42 of 48 with 16 kills. Jill Braden was 34 of 39 with 14 kills. Allison Meierotto had 10 kills, Katie Rung eight and Kelly Pieper four. Rung made 61 assists.

Meierotto had five blocks and Braden four.

Helling led in digs with 29, Braden had 26 and Rung 24.

Braden and Pieper served five aces apiece. Angela Dunlay was 13 of 16 with an ace, Rung was a perfect 25 of 25, and Amanda Hierstein served 5 of 6.

The Lady Dons are 57-6 and play a non-division match next Monday night against Central Lee.