Mediapolis faces #1 Rock Valley

CEDAR RAPIDS — The Mediapolis High School volleyball team has had a magical season, one of the best in school history.

The Bullettes won the SEI Superconference Tournament, won the SEI Superconference North Division and added district and regional championships in the postseason. The Bullettes set two individual and three team records along the way this season, adding to their illustrious list of accomplishments.

Mediapolis added yet another feat to their fabulous season by qualifying for the state tournament for the first time in 10 years and the third time in school history.

But the Bullettes are not satisfied with just getting to state. They hope to make a serious run at bringing home a Class 1A state championship this weekend.

Sixth–ranked Mediapolis (31–4–5) will play top–ranked Rock Valley (33–1–2) in a Class 1A state quarterfinal match at 1 p.m. today on Court 1 at the U.S. Cellular Center.

The Bullettes, who have played as tough a schedule as any team in the state, are not fazed by the task at hand.

"The first thing we have got to do is get past the aura of playing the No. 1 team and the state runner–up from last year," said Mediapolis coach Dennis Jandrey, who sports a 387–10–49 record in his 16 years at Mediapolis. "At this point in the season, ratings mean nothing. We have to take care of our side of the net, play our game and come relaxed and ready to play. If we do that, we can compete with anyone. If not, we are going to be in trouble. The girls realize that we can play with these people."

Mediapolis once again will open with an all–senior lineup. Leading the way are middle hitters Jo Kester and Brenna Nelson, outside hitters Ashlee Baker and Margaret Kuenzler, right–side hitter Krista Wirt and setter Ashlei Jandrey. Junior Meta Kramer and seniors Laura Spanhut and Sarah Schulte will rotate into the back row.

Rounding out the Mediapolis roster are seniors Kay Spanhut and Andrea Lingenfelter and sophomore Emily Kester.

Jandrey is joined on the bench by assistant coach Gary Kester and volunteer assistants Steve Rheinschmidt, Jeff Schulz and Brian Spanhut.

Three of Mediapolis' four losses this season have come against Class 3A schools. The Bullettes lost to Davenport North, Bettendorf and Dubuque Senior, as well as Des Moines Grandview Park Baptist. Second–ranked Davenport North and 11th–ranked Bettendorf are in the Class 3A field, while Dubuque Senior ended the season ranked No. 18. Des Moines Grandview Park Baptist, ranked No. 4, is in the Class 1A field.

The Bullettes are hoping the experience of playing tough competition will help them today.

"We've only lost to one Class 1A school, so I think our schedule helps us a little bit," Jandrey said. "We are going back to fundamentals this week. There is no magic formula. We are not going to change anything now."

The Bullettes sped up their offense this year with the arrival of all–state setter Ashlei Jandrey, who transferred from Mount Pleasant. Mediapolis is averaging 11.8 kills, 12.2 digs, 5.3 blocks and 10.9 assists per game.

Kester leads the way, averaging 3.9 kills and 2.5 blocks. Jandrey is averaging 9.5 assists, 1.2 kills, 1.3 blocks and 1.7 digs. Baker is averaging 2.4 kills and 2.6 digs. Kuenzler is averaging 1.9 kills and 2.6 digs. Wirt is averaging 1.4 blocks, and Nelson is averaging 1.9 kills and 1.6 blocks.

Mediapolis is serving 94.1 percent as a team with 209 aces. The Bullettes have an 81–15 game record.

"They are very aggressive and very athletic," Rock Valley coach Sue Kooima said. "I don't really know a whole lot about them besides they have a couple of good hitters and a good setter. It is definitely a tough first–round draw."

Mediapolis matches up well against the Rockets, although Rock Valley has an advantage when it comes to experience at state. The Rockets were state runners–up last year to Tripoli. The Rockets won a Class 2A state basketball championship two years ago and claimed the Class 1A state basketball title last spring.

The Rockets have been on a roll since early in the season. The Rockets split with defending Class 2A state champion Hull Western Christian and Sioux City Heelan during pool play Sept. 14 at the Sioux City Pizza Ranch Classic. They then lost the championship match against Western Christian, 15–8, 15–9. They have not lost since.

Rock Valley, the champion of the Siouxland Conference, features one of the state's premier setters in 5–foot–11 senior Erica Schlotfeldt. Schlotfeldt, a first team all–state selection last year, is averaging 7.6 assists, 1.6 kills and 1 block. The versatile Schlotfeldt gives the Rockets' offense an added dimension with her ability to pound down kills at the net.

Joining Schlotfeldt on the front line are a pair of 5–9 senior middle hitters in Deb Remmerde and Molly Gort. Remmerde, who Wednesday signed a national letter of intent to play basketball at Iowa, is averaging 3.2 kills and 1 block, while Gort is averaging 1.9 kills.

Rounding out the Rockets' starting lineup are junior outside hitters Amber De Weerd and Kristen Boeve and junior defensive specialist Krystal De Boer.

Rock Valley is averaging 10.8 kills and 3.9 blocks per game. The Rockets are serving 90.7 percent as a team and lead the state in aces with 352, an average of 4 per game. The Rockets have lost just five of 87 games this year.

"They are a very athletic team," Jandrey said. "Any time you win a state basketball championship, you have got to be athletic. They have a very good setter and their two middles are very good. They like to run a lot of quicks and slides. We will have our hands full with their offense."

The key for the Bullettes may be the first game. If the Bullettes are able to suppress the early jitters and take care of their side of the net, they should give the Rockets a run for their money.

"Serving and passing will be the keys for us," said Kooima, who has a 233–13–7 record in five years at Rock Valley. "We need to serve well, pass well and play good defense to minimize their attack. Staying aggressive has been the key for us all year."

"I think we match up with them well," Jandrey said. "I think they will have trouble with our offense. If we pass the ball as well as we have the last month, that will be a big plus for us. We'll see if we can keep that 'We're not worried about it' attitude and see what happens."