Mepo Too ToughBullettes overcome slow start to take district quarterfinal win from Columbus. By Kerry Kahl
MEDIAPOLIS — Only 10 minutes into its first postseason match, the sixth–ranked (Class 1A) Mediapolis High School High School volleyball team had already been put to test. The Columbus Wildcats charged ahead 12–6 in the first game. Mediapolis coach Dennis Jandrey had burned two timeouts, waiting for his team to show up. "We looked like the tin man. We were so tight," said Jandrey. The Bullettes arrived in time to save the first game, 16–14, and maintained momentum in the final two — 15–7, 15–4 — for a Class 1A district quarterfinal win Monday night at Bud McLearn Court. Mediapolis (26–4–5), sweeping the Wildcats (20–8–3) for the second time in six days, moves into a semifinal match against Wapello Wednesday at 7 p.m. in Mediapolis. Wapello (8–13–4) outlasted visiting Louisa–Muscatine in five games Monday. "We had to get the nerves out of the way," said Mediapolis senior outside hitter Jo Kester, who recorded a match–high 19 kills. "Once we got to playing, I knew we'd be fine. This is a good one to get under our belts." The young Wildcats did not back down from the SEI Superconference North Division champions. Columbus took the large Bullettes' crowd out of the match early behind Ann Mincks, who knocked three attacks and two aces in the Wildcats' 12–6 spurt to start the first game. That is when the Bullettes' veteran leadership stepped forward and Columbus' upset bid faded. Each member of Mediapolis' all–senior starting lineup — Sarah Schulte (ace), Ashlei Jandrey (ace), Brenna Nelson (kill), Ashlee Baker (two kills), Margaret Kuenzler (two kills) and Kester (two kills) — played a helping hand in the Bullettes' rally. Mediapolis negated the Wildcats' game–point serve three times before Jandrey's ace locked the score at 14. Baker's attack put the Bullettes ahead and Kester capped off a monster game with the decisive kill, her sixth of the game. "We've all been a part of that situation," said Kester of the Bullettes' early deficit. "We knew we could battle back. We've done it before. We've done it too many times." "They've got a lot of seniors and that wore out on us," said Columbus coach Josh Lukavsky. "You can't give them any type of breaks because they'll get you. They're senior– loaded and very talented. Their senior leadership came out." Coach Jandrey said the pressure of high tournament expectations contributed to his team's nervousness early in the match — along with a fired–up opponent. "There's a target on your shirt. You're a target," said Jandrey. "The kids are feeling it. They really are. They needed to play through the emotional part of the beginning of game (one). Columbus is a good team, make no mistake about it and Mincks is a good volleyball player. We didn't want to have a 20–win team on the other side of the net in the first round of districts. Our girls responded well." Kester continued her big night in the second game, slamming eight kills as the Bullettes shot out to a commanding 12–4 lead. The Wildcats drew no closer than seven points. Baker finished the game with an attack that deflected off Emily Wilson's block attempt. Kester was nearly flawless, connecting on 30–of–32 attacks for a glowing .531 hitting efficiency in the match. Kester and setter Jandrey found their rhythm late in the first game. "We've been having problems lately with timing," said Jandrey, who dished 40 assists. "This match we got it back on track like how we're used to. The experience helps." The Bullettes' strong serving left little doubt in the final game. The Bullettes raced ahead 8–1 behind two aces each from Jandrey and Schulte and another from Laura Spanhut. Kester halted the match with a kill. Columbus Kills — Ann Mincks 12, Mackenzie Meyerholz 3, Emily Wilson 3 Assists — Ashley Orris 17 Serving — Mincks 3 aces Blocks — Mincks 8, Wilson 7, Nicole Stewart 4 Digs — Mincks 15, Meyerholz 5, Wilson 5 Mediapolis Kills — Jo Kester 19, Ashlee Baker 12, Brenna Nelson 12, Ashlei Jandrey 7, Margaret Kuenzler 6 Assists — Jandrey 40, Krista Wirt 2 Serving — Sarah Schulte 21–21 (2 aces), Laura Spanhut 12–15 (1 ace), Jandrey 13–15 (4 aces), Kester 11–11 (1 ace), Meta Kramer 15–16 (2 aces), Baker 5–6 Blocks — Kester 4, Nelson 3, Jandrey 3, Baker 2, Kuenzler 2, Wirt Digs — Baker 9, Kester 9, Kuenzler 8, Jandrey 8, Schulte 6, Kramer 5 |
