Bullettes' state road ends

Mediapolis throws scare in Rock Valley before finally falling in first round.

CEDAR RAPIDS — Top–ranked Rock Valley may have prevailed in Thursday's Class 1A state quarterfinal match over sixth–ranked Mediapolis at the state volleyball tournament at the U.S. Cellular Center.

But the Rockets knew they had been in a battle from start to finish.

The Bullettes displayed their athletic ability, their determination and their heart in pushing the Rockets to the limit. In the end, Rock Valley proved to be just a little better as the Rockets came away with a hard–fought 15–12, 10–15, 15–6, 16–14 win over Mediapolis in a match that lasted nearly two hours.

Rock Valley (34–1–2) advances to a semifinal match to face fifth–ranked and three–time defending state champion Tripoli (38–3–1) at 6 p.m. today in a rematch of last year's Class 1A state championship match. Tripoli advanced with a 15–1, 15–10, 9–15, 15–11 win over seventh–ranked North Kossuth.

Mediapolis, playing in its third state tournament, ended its season with a 31–5–5 record.

"I was really proud of the way all our girls played. I thought we proved ourselves a little bit and surprised some people," said Mediapolis senior middle hitter Jo Kester, who finished with 23 kills and 24 digs, both match highs. "We've had a storybook season. I am so grateful I got to play with this team all four years."

"I couldn't ask for any more from these kids," Mediapolis coach Dennis Jandrey said of his team. "They showed so much heart. I am very proud of all of them, the way they came back. They gave the fans their money's worth."

"We knew it was going to be tough," Rock Valley coach Sue Kooima said. "That was a very good team we just played. A win is a win and we'll take it."

Rock Valley, which won the Class 1A girls state basketball championship last year, looked set to make short work of the Bullettes in the opening game. Mediapolis held a 3–2 lead after a spike by Brenna Nelson, but the Rockets responded with an 8–0 run to take command. The Rockets scored six consecutive points on the serve of Kenzie Huyser.

Rock Valley held an 11–4 lead before Mediapolis finally shook off a case of opening–match jitters and found its rhythm. Ashlei Jandrey started the rally with an ace serve. A Rock Valley net violation, back–to–back blocks by Krista Wirt and Kester, another Rock Valley net violation and a Rock Valley hitting error brought the Bullettes within 11–10.

Rock Valley scored the next three points to earn a game point. But the Bullettes would not concede. A Rock Valley net violation and a spike by Ashlee Baker brought the Bullettes within 14–12 before the Rockets put the game away on an ace by Molly Gort.

"We used that," Jandrey said of his team's comeback. "Even though they won the game, we had some momentum on our side. We were able to do some things. We ran our offense and took care of our side of the net."

Mediapolis used the momentum to win the second game and even the match. It was just the sixth game the Rockets had lost all year.

The teams battled to a 4–4 tie before the Bullettes seized control. A cross–court spike by Nelson gave the Bullettes the lead for good. Sarah Schulte started a 7–0 Mediapolis run with an ace. A block by Nelson, a spike by Margaret Kuenzler, two Rock Valley hitting errors and a spike by Nelson gave the Bullettes a 10–4 lead.

Rock Valley closed within three points on three occasions, but the Bullettes stemmed the tide each time. A block by Nelson and a pair of spikes by Kester kept the Bullettes in the lead.

"Brenna was awesome," said Kester of her teammate, who finished with 12 kills and four blocks. "She was a motivator. She came out with enthusiasm. When we were down, she brought us back up."

"Brenna played well," Jandrey said. "She had a couple of swings that were just awesome. She's had some good matches. That was one of her better ones."

Mediapolis ended the game on a spike by Kuenzler and an ace by Kester to even the match.

"It just seemed like they were hitting wherever we weren't." said Rock Valley's 5–foot–11 senior all–state setter Erica Schlotfeldt. "They're hitters are very good. They found the open spots on the floor. They are a very well–rounded team."

"We didn't make many mistakes in the second game," Jandrey said. "We didn't let them have any four– or five–point runs. Our serve receive was good and we were able to run some of our stuff. I was pleased with what we did offensively."

"They were covering the lines really well and they were definitely aggressive," Kooima said. "They are good athletes who cover the floor very well and keep battling. We did our best to keep pushing." Rock Valley turned its game up another notch in the third game, getting its passing game going as its offense shifted into high gear.

Mediapolis scored the first two points of the pivotal game, one on a big spike by Kester.

But the Rockets responded, scoring four straight points on the serve of Schlotfeldt and four more behind the serve of Krystal Den Boer to forge a 10–5 lead.

The Rockets ended the third game with four points on the serve of Huyser.

"We made better passes than we did the first couple of games," Kooima said. "We made a few adjustments that helped."

Rock Valley, sensing victory was near, raced to a 12–3 lead in the fourth game as Schlotfeldt displayed her fabulous all–around game. Schlotfeldt had a pair of back sets and a back tip, to go along with a thunderous spike to spur the Rockets to a big lead.

But Mediapolis was far from finished. With their season hanging in the balance, the Bullettes stormed back.

Nelson ended a long rally with a tip to give the Bullettes some momentum. The Bullettes closed within 12–5 on a cross–court tip by Nelson, only to see the Rockets score the next two points to take a 14–5 lead.

Still, the Bullettes were not done. Down to its final point, Mediapolis once again rallied. A Rock Valley hitting error, a cross–court spike by Baker and an ace by Baker brought the Bullettes within 14–8.

Following a Rock Valley timeout, Ashlei Jandrey pounded down a spike, Kuenzler went cross court with a spike and another Rock Valley hitting error closed the gap to 14–11 as the Mediapolis fans went wild. "We knew we could still do it," Kester said. "We still think we could do it. They are a great team, but we played right with them.

"It was amazing. That's the kind of feeling you play the game for. That shows the heart of our team."

Ashlei Jandrey ended another long rally with a spike and Kester followed with a tip over the front row. An ace by Baker knotted the game at 14.

But the Rockets rose to the occasion. A block by Shayla Lange and a spike by Karin Remmerde sent the Rockets into the semifinals and the Bullettes on their way home.

Still, it was a match neither team will soon forget.

"They are a great team of great athletes," Kooima said of Mediapolis. "They battled us all the way. They have a great group of seniors. They gave us a great run."

"These kids have some memories they will never forget," Jandrey said. "When they come back for their five–year (class reunion), they are going to be talking about this day. It was a great ride. It really was."

Mediapolis (31–5–5)

Kills — Jo Kester 23, Brenna Nelson 12, Margaret Kuenzler 7, Ashlee Baker 5, Ashlei Jandrey 5, Krista Wirt 2

Assists — Jandrey 47, Kester 4

Serving — Kester 14–14 (2 aces), Sarah Schulte 22–23 (1 ace), Baker 17–18 (3 aces), Jandrey 17–19 (2 aces), Meta Kramer 12–13, Laura Spanhut 7–8, Kuenzler 5–5, Wirt 0–1

Blocks — Nelson 4, Kester 2, Baker 2, Kuenzler 1, Wirt 1, Jandrey 1

Digs — Kester 24, Baker 18, Kuenzler 17, Kramer 16, Jandrey 13, Schulte 10, Wirt 2, Nelson 2

Rock Valley (34–1–2)

Kills — Deb Remmerde 17, Molly Gort 10, Shayla Lange 8, Kristen Boeve 8, Erica Schlotfeldt 7, Amber De Weerd 6, Karin Remmerde 1

Assists — Schlotfeldt 46, Krystal Den Boer 2, Gort 2, Lange 2, De Weerd 1, Boeve 1, D.Remmerde 1

Serving — Schlotfeldt 20–21 (3 aces), Gort 20–22 (3 aces), Kenzie Huyser 19–20 (1 ace), D.Remmerde 13–14, Den Boer 17–19 (4 aces), De Weerd 11–15, Boeve 2–2, K.Remmerde 1–1

Blocks — Gort 4, Schlotfeldt 4, Remmerde 4, Lange 3, De Weerd 2, Boeve 1

Digs — Schlotfeldt 24, Huyser 15, De Weerd 13, D.Remmerde 13, Gort 12, Boeve 7, Den Boer 5, K.Remmerde 5