Bullettes advance in SEISC

Soccer anyone? No, it's obviously volleyball. Ashlee Baker (left), Margaret Kuenzler (center) and Jo Kester (right) make a save in the win over Harmony. Photo by Kent Harshbarger

by Kent Harshbarger

The Mediapolis Bullettes advanced to bracketed play in the Southeast Iowa Super Conference by winning their pool at Danville on September 28. Mepo won the pool with a 3-0-1 match record and a 7-1 games' mark. Keokuk Cardinal Stritch was second with a 2-0-2 match record and a 6-2 record in games.

The top two teams in each pool advanced to bracketed play at Southeastern Community College on October 1. Other teams advancing in addition to the Bullettes and Cardinal Stritch were Ft. Madison Aquinas, Columbus, New London, Waco, Iowa Mennonite and Wapello. The Bullettes met Wapello in quarterfinal action at SCC. Aquinas, New London and Iowa Mennonite were other pool winners.

Mepo opened pool play against Harmony and immediately fell behind 4-0 in the first game. The Bullettes quickly recovered scoring 11 straight points for the 11-4 win. Mediapolis dominated from start to finish in game two, winning 11-2.

Jo Kester and Ashlee Baker each notched five kills in the win over the Rockets. Ashlei Jandrey contributed 11 assists and notched two aces. Baker led the defense with four digs and Margaret Kuenzler added three.

The Bullettes struggled in their first game against Keokuk Cardinal Stritch and eventually lost that contest 11-2. "We had five net violations and just didn't take care of our side of the net. We hit a few out too," Mepo head coach Dennis Jandrey said. Mediapolis regrouped in game two and coasted to an 11-2 victory.

Mepo used a balanced attack to earn the split. After a slow start, Baker led in kills with five. Kester added four, Jandrey three and Brenna Nelson two. Jandrey had 11 more assists. Defensively, Kester and Krista Wirt recorded five blocks and Kester also led in digs with three.

Mepo polished off Highland quickly in the third match of the day, winning by scores of 11-2 and 11-1. The Bullettes served 28-29 with eight aces against the Huskies. Meta Kramer was eight of eight with three aces. Kester and Baker each had four kills and Jandrey 10 assists. Jandrey also equaled Kester's two blocks in the match. Kuenzler had three digs and Kester two.

The Bullettes needed to win both games in their final match with Marquette to win the pool. Things looked bleak early. Mediapolis fell behind 7-3 in the first game, but recovered to come back for an 11-8 win. In the second game, Mepo rolled to an 11-0 win as Meta Kramer served 10 straight points.

Coach Jandrey was proud of his team's performance in both games. "We got off to a bad start in the first game, but played very well to get back in it. That was best we have played all year in the second game," Jandrey said.

Kester and Baker each recorded five kills to lead the Bullettes. Nelson added three, all during the first game comeback and Kuenzler had two. Jandrey added 13 more assists. Kuenzler also led the defensive effort against the Warriors with five digs. Kramer had four. Kramer served 17 for 17 in the match, while the Bullettes were 34 of 35.

Overall, Jandrey was happy with his team's performance at the tournament. "I was pleased with the way we played all day except for one game. I hope we can keep it going," Jandrey said.

The impressive performance boosted the Bullettes' record to 12-3-3 in match play and to 31-10 in games.