The Van Buren County Warriors capped off a commendable performance at the SEISC Finals Tournament, utilizing a dominant start to secure a respectable fourth-place finish after a full day of highly competitive volleyball at Southeastern Community College in West Burlington.
The Warriors’ momentum began even before the main bracket, as they successfully won their pool in West Burlington by defeating Lone Tree, Hillcrest Academy, and West Burlington.
Quarterfinals: VBC sweeps Mediapolis
Van Buren County opened the tournament with a decisive 2-0 sweep over Mediapolis (25-17, 25-19), establishing their dominance early. Setter Sophia Jirak orchestrated the offense perfectly, dishing out 24 assists while spreading the ball to multiple attackers. Ashlynn Huff led the attack with 11 kills, followed by Marlee Mertens with eight, and Daphny Wells with four, contributing to the team’s total of 28 kills against 12 kill errors. Defensively, Mertens anchored the back row with 15 digs, supported by Lexie Wiley (13), Teagan Sickels (9), and Jirak (8). The team’s serving was nearly flawless, achieving a 98.0% efficiency with aces from Wiley, Wells, and Huff. The convincing win advanced them to the semifinals against Holy Trinity Catholic.
Semifinals: VBC runs into a Class 1A Powerhouse
In the semifinals, the Warriors ran into a perennial power in Holy Trinity Catholic, who is ranked second in Class 1A. After having already played twice at the Centerville Tournament, this marked the third meeting between the two teams this season. The Warriors struggled to find their rhythm against Holy Trinity’s size and power at the net, falling 0-2 (15-25, 15-25).
Despite the loss, the Warriors saw contributions across the lineup. Huff tallied seven kills, and Mertens added six. Wells (1), Sickels (2), and Aida Troutman (1) contributed as well, though these statistics remain unofficial as they were gathered and provided during the broadcast by Shan Moquin.
Third-Place Match: Heartbreak in Three Sets
The loss sent Van Buren County to the third-place match against Wapello, a team they had previously beaten. In a heartbreaking three-set thriller, the Warriors came up just short, falling 1-2 (25-17, 19-25, 12-15). Jirak continued her excellent day with 27 assists, while Huff led the hitting with 12 kills and Mertens added nine. Defensively, Huff notched 16 digs, with Jirak, Mertens, and Wiley each recording 15 digs. The team maintained strong serving at 96.5%, with an ace apiece from Wiley, Sickels, and Jirak.
The Warriors held a lead in the decisive third set, but the momentum shifted dramatically due to a series of controversial calls, combined with a tightening Wapello defense that made it difficult for Van Buren County to convert points down the stretch.
Tournament Wrap-Up and Next Match
Despite the tough finish, the Warriors’ fourth-place effort showcased their competitive spirit and depth against some of the conference’s toughest competition. Their next opportunity for action is against Danville at home on October 2nd.
You can watch all the action from the tournament here: https://www.youtube.com/live/1bJDbO-Pu_I?si=_XuSiCg_TsCMXco https://www.youtube.com/live/wS0IDgUJPrI?si=wxn3kIxkVdCvhiQT
