Van Buren County’s volleyball program wrapped up one of its most successful seasons in recent years with multiple players earning Southeast Iowa Super Conference South Division all-conference recognition.
All-Conference Selections
Ashlynn Huff and Sophia Jirak were named to the first team, highlighting their standout performances throughout the season. Huff finished her career with 547 kills and 371 digs, while Jirak recorded 1,726 career assists and 676 career digs, setting school records for most assists in both a single game and a season. Jirak’s senior season was her best, accomplishing 707 assists and 271 digs.
Both seniors will continue their volleyball careers at the 32nd Annual Southeast Iowa Volleyball Classic on Saturday, November 8th at Burlington High School, where they will represent Van Buren County alongside the region’s top senior talent. The all-star showcase, which tips off at 7:00 p.m., features athletes selected through nominations and votes by varsity coaches from the Southeast Conference and Southeast Iowa Super Conference. Van Buren County head coach Salena Sayre will also serve on the coaching staff for the event, which provides a final opportunity for these talented seniors to showcase their skills and celebrate their high school volleyball careers.
Marlee Mertens and Lexie Wiley earned second team honors. Mertens concluded her career with 512 kills and 847 digs, while Wiley finished with 622 career digs, with 447 of those coming from this season, and set the school record for most digs in a game.
Teagan Sickels and Daphny Wells received honorable mention recognition for their contributions to the Warriors’ success.
“Each and every one of the players that earned recognition for their playing efforts deserves the spot they were given and they put in that work all throughout the season to get where they ended up,” said head coach Salena Sayre. “We play in a tough conference with some really good athletes from each school, so to see six of our girls earn all-conference honors is amazing.”
Academic Excellence
The Warriors’ commitment extended beyond the court, with 16 players earning all-academic honors. The team posted an impressive 3.74 average GPA for 2025, showcasing the program’s emphasis on excellence in the classroom.
All-academic honorees include Kailey Chaplin, Maddie Cocherell, Ashlynn Huff, Adelaide Kaemmerer, Chloe Keefe, Karsyn Kreiss, Aubrey Loeffler, Ava Loeffler, Briley Losey, Macolie McEntee, Ali Pedretti, Teagan Sickels, Aida Troutman, Daphny Wells, Brystol Wiley, and Lexie Wiley.
“A lot of the time people forget that these girls aren’t just athletes, they are student-athletes,” Sayre said. “So to see so many of them get academic honors truly shows that they are focused on and off the court and that’s a great representation for Van Buren and the volleyball program.”
Season Success
The Warriors finished with a 19-15 overall record and a 5-2 mark in conference play, capping a successful season for the program. The campaign was defined by growth, teamwork, and resilience, with multiple players achieving career milestones while contributing to the team’s competitive performance in the Southeast Iowa Super Conference South Division.
The combination of on-court success and academic achievement reflects the well-rounded nature of the Van Buren County volleyball program and sets a strong foundation for future seasons.
