Western Christian Claims 3A Volleyball Title with Stellar Defense
In a thrilling showdown at Xtream Arena in Coralville, Iowa, Western Christian emerged victorious as they secured the Class 3A state volleyball championship title. The third-ranked Wolfpack outduelled the top-ranked Mount Vernon in a four-set final, showcasing their stellar defense and claiming their 19th state championship.
Led by Coach Tammi Veerbeek, Western Christian devised a strategic plan to counter the formidable Chloe Meester of Mount Vernon. Haley Wielenga, the libero for the Wolfpack, was assigned the task of neutralizing Meester’s powerful shots. Wielenga’s exceptional performance in digging up Meester’s laser-like hits proved instrumental in their triumph.
Coach Veerbeek expressed her admiration for Wielenga’s efforts, acknowledging the crucial role she played in their victory. The coach praised Wielenga’s defensive prowess, stating, We knew that Meester liked to go cross-court, so we put (Wielenga) right in that alley. I asked her before the match, ‘Can you dig her enough to win the match?’ You rock!
Western Christian, the reigning 2A champion, showcased their dominance in their new classification by outperforming larger schools. Despite being the smallest school in Class 3A, they displayed exceptional teamwork and skill, solidifying their position as champions once again.
Meester, the University of Louisville commit and an integral part of the Mustangs, displayed her talent with an impressive 25 kills. However, she faced relentless opposition from Western Christian’s tenacious defense. Meester had to expend significant effort, taking 68 swings to achieve a .235 kill efficiency. She credited Western Christian’s defensive prowess, particularly their libero, for their exceptional performance.
Wielding an incredible defensive line, Western Christian consistently hustled and scrambled for points, leaving Mount Vernon with limited opportunities to capitalize on. Despite holding leads in the first and third sets, Mount Vernon couldn’t maintain their advantage, ultimately succumbing to Western Christian’s superior defense.
The match showcased Western Christian’s exceptional talent, with three of their players earning spots on the all-tournament team. In addition to Wielenga’s remarkable performance, Shayna Van Dyken and Keana Wynja demonstrated their prowess with 20 and 13 kills, respectively. Sydney Huber and Meester represented Mount Vernon in the all-tournament team, joined by Sydney Schmueker from Union Community and Ellah Derrer from Assumption.
As the lone senior among the starting players for Mount Vernon, Brooke Ellyson expressed optimism for the future, highlighting the team’s remarkable journey throughout the season. Despite falling short in the championship match, Ellyson emphasized the valuable lessons learned and the motivation it would provide for the upcoming year.
Western Christian’s triumphant victory in the Class 3A state volleyball final not only solidified their legacy as a dominant force in Iowa high school volleyball but also demonstrated the power of exceptional defense in overcoming formidable opponents. Their strategic placement of players and relentless pursuit for every ball proved to be the winning formula. As they bask in their hard-earned glory, Western Christian looks set to continue their reign in the years to come.
