Top-ranked Ankeny wins second straight 4A title

CEDAR RAPIDS (IGHSAU) — Top-ranked Ankeny collected its second-straight Class 4A championship with a 25-21, 14-25, 26-24, 27-25 victory second-ranked Iowa City West.

The championship is the fourth in school history. The Hawkettes also won 4A crowns in 2004, 2005, and 2008.

Amber Aschoff led Ankeny with 18 kills and 17 digs with Maddie Manning adding 17 kills.

Jessica Gehrke had 16 kills with 20 digs to lead Iowa City West, who ends the season at 39-3. Ankeny finishes the season at 39-1.

Waverly-Shell Rock 25-15-31-20-17, Sioux City Heelan 19-25-29-25-15

All-tournament captain Morgan Kuhrt knocked down 26 kills to lead third-ranked Waverly-Shell Rock to a thrilling 25-19, 15-25, 31-29, 20-25, 17-15 victory over top-ranked Sioux City Bishop Heelan in the Class 3A championship match.

The state volleyball championship is the first for the Go-Hawks, who finish the season 47-5.

Kuhrt was dominant, knocking down 26 kills in 63 attacks while adding four blocks and 13 digs. The junior also had plenty of help as teammate Rachel Peth had 20 kills and Hannah Walker added 11. Setter Kinsey Caldwell, also an all-tournament selection, had 49 assists and 16 digs.

Bishop Heelan, who set an Iowa single season record

for match victories, were led by Carli Tritz’ 14 kills, seven blocks and 26 digs. Teammate Maggie Vondrak had a team-high 15 kills. The Crusaders finish the season with a 52-6 record.

Mount Vernon 25-25-25, Sheldon 8-14-9

Mount Vernon ended its season in dominating fashion as the top-ranked Mustangs stopped Sheldon’s Cinderella tournament run with a 25-8, 25-14, 25-9 victory.

The Mustangs overwhelmed Sheldon, forcing 28 attack errors while allowing just 11 kills. Amanda Platte and all-tournament captain Ali Stark had nine kills apiece to lead the Mustangs. Elizabeth Ihnen led Sheldon with four kills.

Mount Vernon finished its season 43-1, capturing its second volleyball championship and the first since 1984. Sheldon, who knocked off third-ranked Dike-New Hartford and second-ranked Western Christian to reach the 2A state title match, ends its year at 38-3.

Tripoli 25-25-28, Schaller-Crestland 11-13-26

Tripoli successfully defended its Class 1A title with a 25-11, 25-13, 28-26 victory over third-ranked Schaller-Crestland Saturday afternoon in Cedar Rapids.