Janesville slows Kylie DeBerg, sweeps Hudson for state volleyball title

CEDAR RAPIDS — The magic number was 20.

"We figured if (Kylie DeBerg) had 20 kills, that would be a win for us," Janesville's Gillian Gergen said. 'If she had more like 30, it would be a loss.'

It was a win. A big win.

Top-ranked Janesville held the 6-foot-4 DeBerg to 15 kills and swept No. 2 Hudson, 25-10, 25-15, 25-20 for its second consecutive Class 1A championship at the state volleyball tournament Friday night at the U.S. Cellular Center.

The Wildcats (35-8) won their 22nd consecutive match and have captured three 1A titles in the past four seasons.

'I can't really explain how excited I am for this team,' Janesville's Kennedy Meister said. 'We've had a huge target on our backs. We know people want to get us, so we have to stay focused and play our game.'

A University of Illinois recruit, DeBerg earned all-tournament captain honors. But the Wildcats followed her everywhere she went. In one rotation, they threw a triple block at her.

'We had to be on our toes if she tipped against that,' Meister said. 'But it helped us out a lot.'

Janesville's superiority was reflected in the all-tournament team; the Wildcats landed four on the squad — Gergen (a Drake recruit), Meister, Lily Liekweg and Bree Thompson.

Springville's Mikayla Nachazel and Fort Madison Holy Trinity's Ali Randolph rounded out the unit.

Game 1 was a blowout, then Janesville pulled away from the second set after the Pirates (35-5) had pulled within 14-12. The finale was 14-13 before the Wildcats escaped again.

Hudson had won 18 consecutive matches, and Friday's loss was the Pirates' first against a non-NICL opponent.

Thompson led Janesville with 13 kills. Alisa Bengen counted 31 assists.

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