After a win against Southeastern Community College in the Region 11-A semifinals, Kirkwood beat No. 18 Des Moines Area Community College in the tournament final.
Stakes were high going into this game, as the winning team would have an automatic bid into the National Tournament. Top ranked Kirkwood and a strong DMACC team both laid it all out on the court tonight.
A large reason for the Eagles’ success so far this season has been due to their success with attacking. As a team this season they have averaged 13 kills per set, but the Bears knew this and played excellent defense against the Eagles, holding them to just nine kills in the first set.
However, Kirkwood ultimately committed less errors than the Bears, and won set one 25-18.
“It’s interesting because what was working for us normally wasn’t,” said David Brown when reflecting on the poor hitting percentage in the first set. “You have to pivot and adjust. I thought we did a really good job communicating and kind of pushing through those runs that DMACC was putting out.”
From the momentum of the first set victory, Kirkwood jumped out to an 18-13 lead. However, the Bears kept chipping away. It seemed like every pass that DMACC had turned into a point.
Suddenly Kirkwood was faced with a set point, down 23-24.
But sophomore outside hitter Carly Wazac stepped up in a big way after a quiet first set. She got a clutch kill to tie the set 24-24. After the Bears responded with another point, Kirkwood turned to Wazac again, and she responded tying it 25-25 this time.
The 2025 Second-Team All-American finished the day with nine kills and four blocks.
DMACC again forced set point against Kirkwood, but this time freshman setter Katie Scheckel came through with the kill.
In to serve for Kirkwood was freshman defensive specialist Ainsey Haedt. Earlier in the match she had a service error, so this serve was critical.
The serve turned out to be successful, and the volley resulted in another Scheckel kill. So Haedt came in to serve again, and that very rally won Kirkwood the set 28-26 after a block from sophomore outside hitter Sydney Brandmeyer.
“I’ve been in a position like that before, but boy was I nervous,” Haedt said when talking about her two clutch serves.
After DMACC’s respectable efforts, Kirkwood’s momentum proved to be too strong. As the Eagles started the third set up 7-1.
Four kills from Brandmeyer in the third set boosted Kirkwood to the set win, and that turned into the match win. With Kirkwood winning 25-16.
“I really need to push through, this is what the team needs,” Brandmeyer said about her mindset once playoffs start. “It just motivates me more.”
She finished the day leading Kirkwood with 11 kills on a .556 hitting percentage while contributing two blocks.
So with the victory Kirkwood secured not only the Region 11-A title, but they also got an automatic bid to the National Tournament.
Wazac said it feels great securing a spot at the National Tournament. “One thing that we like to emphasize is we get a nice hotel, we get to stay in the Hilton Doubletree, so that’s big for us,” she said with a laugh. “Right now it feels really good to be where we are at.”
Also with this win an impressive stat presents itself: Kirkwood’s volleyball team has not lost a game in Johnson Hall in two years. Making the sophomores unfamiliar with the fate of losing while at home.
When asked if she has a favorite moment from Johnson Hall during her two years, sophomore middle hitter Madalyn Boyer responded with, “Any moment with my teammates. They’re honestly my best friends. I wouldn’t say I have a favorite moment just because every moment is really amazing.”
Boyer finished the match with six blocks and one service ace.
Brown had nothing but praise to give for this sophomore group.
“This group of sophomores are so very special, I’m going to miss them dearly,” he said. “They weren’t gonna go out with the loss on their record.”
At the conclusion of the match, a member from the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference awarded the Eagles with tournament awards.
Every Kirkwood player and coach got a ring, and the team got a plaque for winning the regional tournament.
Boyer, Scheckel and Wazac were all named to the Region 11-1 All-Tournament Team. With Wazac winning MVP of the tournament.
Sophomore outside hitter Yasmine Sell put up nine kills. Scheckel and sophomore setter Avery Knoop combined for 33 assists.
“I’m glad we were tested before we got to the National Tournament,” concluded Brown. “From what I just saw, they’re ready for it.
The National Tournament goes from Nov. 18-21, and it will take place in Cedar Rapids.
Kirkwood: 25 28 25
DMACC: 18 26 16
Categories: Sports, Volleyball
