Prairie Volleyball

Prairie wins MVC/MAC Challenge

Cedar Rapids Prairie went 3-0, capping the evening with a thrilling win over top-ranked Bettendorf to take the title in the MVC/MAC Challenge at Prairie.

Prairie opened with a 2-1 win over Pleasant Valley, then swept North Scott before taking both games from Bettendorf to win the challenge.

Kennedy went 2-1, losing a 3-set match to Bettendorf before bouncing back with sweeps over Pleasant Valley and North Scott.

Iowa City West also went 2-1 giving the MVC a 7-2 mark against the MAC teams

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Prairie's Sprengeler to play at UND

Cedar Rapids Prairie's Megan Sprengeler has committed to play volleyball next season at the University of North Dakota.

Sprengeler, a 5-foot-11 outside hitter/defensive specialist, was an honorable mention all-Metro selection and a team captain for the Hawks.

"Megan’s upside is tremendous," said UND Coach Mark Prior in a press release. "Megan was a six-rotation player in high school, but she will move into a more defensive role here."

Ollinger honored on MVC volleyball

Amanda Ollinger of Cedar Rapids Jefferson has been named the Valley Division Athlete of the Year on the Mississippi Valley Conference all-star volleyball team.

Ollinger, a 6-foot-3 junior, was one of the top kill-shot artists in the state this season with her powerful slams. She has committed to play basketball at the University of Iowa.

Sarah Renner of Linn-Mar, Ellie Anderson of Linn-Mar, Anna Fluent of Kennedy and Macy Anderson of Kennedy joined Ollinger as first-team selections in the Valley Division.

Kate Busswitz of Prairie and Kayla Torson of Xavier were first-team picks in the Mississippi Division.

VALLEY DIVISION

Athlete of the Year - Amanda Ollinger, Jefferson
Coach of the Year - Matthew Johnson, Cedar Falls

First Team

Amanda Ollinger (CRJ), Lauryn Kramer (CF), Mackenzie May (DW), Laynie Whitehead (ICW), Sarah Renner (LM), Ellie Anderson (LM), Anna Fluent
(CRK), Macy Anderson (CRK).

Second Team

Emma Gerdes (CF), Mikaela Morgan (ICW), Tayah Mahi (CF), Sami Boekhoff (LM), Emilee McGowan (LM), Brinley Milbrath (CRK), Maddie Heiar (DW), Makenzie Tomkins (CRJ).

Honorable Mention
Metro Only

Jefferson - Avery Guy, Sam Kitterman
Kennedy - Paige Franck, Kendal Meier
Linn-Mar - Meg Gostonczik, Carly Spies

All-Academic
Metro Only

Jefferson - Brianna Prohaska, Hannah Carter
Kennedy - Hannah Skow, Breanna Osterkamp
Linn-Mar - Meg Gostonczik, Sarah Renner

MISSISSIPPI DIVISION

Athlete of the Year - Alexa Aldrich-Ingram, Iowa City High
Coach of the Year - Craig Pitcher, Iowa City High

First Team

Alexa Aldrich-Ingram (ICH), Kate Busswitz (CRP), Kayla Torson (CRX), Ashley Smith (ICH), Kendra Cave (ICH), Kasey Davis (DH), Hope Splinter (DH), Indya Beaman (WE).

Second Team

Makenzie Soeken (CRP), Caiti Peterson (CRW), Majda Sulic (WW), Shannon James (ICH), Rylee Price (ICH), Makayla Doyle (DH), Mallory Jones (CRP), Madsy Richards (CRX).

Honorable Mention
Metro Only

Prairie - Jenni Lockhart, Rachel Shelangoski
Washington - Sophie Smith, Rumer Weiland
Xavier - Melanie Wertzberger, Olivia Krapfl

All-Academic
Metro Only

Prairie - Rachel Shelangoski, Megan Sprengeler
Washington - Ellen Holt, Sophie Smith
Xavier - Melanie Wertzberger, Olivia Krapfl

Paulsen named Metro Coach of Year

Roxanne Paulsen of Marion High School has been named the Metro Coach of the Year in girls volleyball, as selected by the Metro coaches.

Marion earned a spot in the Class 4A state tournament with a 3-0 victory over DeWitt Central in the regional finals Tuesday night. This will be Paulsen's fifth trip to the state tournament with the Indians and the first since 2009. Marion won a state title in 2008.

Abby Phillips and Amanda Sahm of Marion were named to the top all-Metro squad with their coach. They were joined by Kayla Torson of Xavier, Amanda Ollinger of Jefferson, Kate Busswitz of Prairie, Sarah Renner of Linn-Mar, Anna Fluent of Kennedy and Macy Anderson of Kennedy.

SECOND TEAM

Alyssa Thomas (Marion), Olivia Frazier (Marion), Ellie Anderson (Linn-Mar), Sami Boekhoff (Linn-Mar), Caiti Peterson (Washington), Mallory Jones (Prairie), Madsy Richards (Xavier), Brinley Milbrath (Kennedy).

HONORABLE MENTION

Jefferson - Maddie Slagle, Kristen Naber
Kennedy - Paige Franck, Kendal Meier
Prairie - Jennifer Lockhart, Megan Sprengeler
Washington - Sophie Smith, Rumer Weiland
Xavier - Mel Wertzberger, Olivia Krapfl
Linn-Mar - Emilee McGowan, Meg Gostonczik
Marion - Isabella Sade, Johanna Steggall