Conference Tournament Matches Top Teams

SEI Superconference volleyball tournament ends today at Loren Walker Arena.

The SEI Superconference Volleyball Tournament just seems to get better and better with each passing year.

This year's finals could prove to be the best in the event's 10–year history.

The tournament began Saturday with pool play at two different sites. The top two teams from each of four pools advanced to the finals.

The final round is set for today at Loren Walker Arena on the campus of Southeastern Community College in West Burlington. The first two quarterfinal matches will begin at 5 p.m., with the second two quarterfinals to follow immediately.

Iowa Mennonite School is the defending champion. IMS beat four–time champion New London in last year's championship match.

"That was a great victory for us last year," said IMS coach Dwight Gingerich, whose team brings a 14–4–2 record into today's finals. "It was the first time we had done it. It was a huge accomplishment. There are so many great teams in the tournament every year. There are a lot of other teams off to great starts. It will be fun to go in there and see what we can do."

The finals feature three of the top 16 ranked teams in Class 1A. Fifth–ranked Fort Madison Aquinas, 12th–ranked New London, 16th–ranked Mediapolis and IMS come in as pool–play champions.

Aquinas drew the top seed, followed by Mediapolis, New London and IMS.

Mediapolis (14–4–4) has been the hottest team around of late. The Bullettes are on a roll as setter Ashlei Jandrey works into the Mediapolis system. Outside hitter Jo Kester was a second team all–state player last year. Combined with Margaret Kuenzler and Ashlee Baker, the Bullettes feature a formidable attack.

Kester leads the area in blocks, averaging 2.6 per game. Breana Nelson and Jandrey are both averaging better than a block per game. Kester is averaging 3.3 kills per game. Jandrey is averaging 8.9 assists per game.

"We're playing pretty well right now. I like what the kids are doing with the volleyball. They are doing some good things right now," said Mediapolis coach Dennis Jandrey, who led the Bullettes to the title in the inaugural tournament in 1993. "Every team lost at least one game Saturday. That tells you a little bit about the balance that is going on. One through eight, the teams are pretty balanced this year."

Mediapolis handed Wapello a 15–2, 15–2, 15–1 loss early in the season, but Jandrey expects a much tougher match this time around against the young and improving Arrows.

"They're not really the same team we played early in the year," Jandrey said. "They are a lot better. They are very young, but they are playing some good volleyball.

"You have to come out and take care of your side of the net. You can't beat yourself. You can't hit into the net or get in the net and you have to serve receive well. If you can come in and do that, you can be successful."

New London is the only team to win the tournament more than once. The Tigers won titles in 1994, 1997, 1999 and 2000. The Tigers are led by hitters Rylee Olsen, Stephanie Fischer and Courtney Pilch, along with setter Megan Alden. Olsen is averaging 3.2 kills and 1.1 blocks per game. Alden is averaging 7.8 assists.

New London faces a difficult task against red–hot Columbus. The Wildcats feature one of the area's top blockers in Ann Mincks. Mincks is averaging a block per game, along with 2.5 kills.

"We are definitely going to have to be ready," New London coach Maureen Heath said. "Columbus has a big middle hitter in Mincks. We will definitely have to be ready for that first match and take care of business. Our goal is to be playing at the end of the night. The bottom four teams are capable of doing some good things. It's going to be a good one. It's a great atmosphere out there. You have to have a lot of offense and be on top of your game."

Aquinas brings an undefeated record into the finals. The Lady Dons feature a balanced lineup of mostly seniors. Setter Katie Rung is averaging 8.2 assists per game, while Jenn Ping, Jill Helling and Jill Braden are averaging over 2 kills per game.

WACO features one of the top all–around players in Megan Fort. Fort is averaging 2.6 kills and 4.5 digs per game. She is serving at a 98.63 percent clip for the season.

IMS has its hands full in the first round against a Keokuk Cardinal Stritch team which is playing its best volleyball of the season. Stritch is led by all–stater Jennifer Goetz. Goetz is averaging 5.5 kills and 2.1 blocks per game. Setter Krissy High is dishing out 7.7 assists per game and Erika Lambros is averaging 3.6 digs. Jessica O'Bleness has yet to miss a serve this season in 196 attempts.

"Goetz is probably going to get her shots," Gingerich said. "We are going to have to be solid in every part of our game. We will have to try to slow her down. Stritch has a very nice team. They are very sound and solid all the way around. We are looking forward to (tonight)."