Jefferson sweeps No. 1 Xavier

CEDAR RAPIDS — A court storm in August?

Why not? The Jefferson J-Hawks earned it.

Class 5A eighth-ranked Cedar Rapids Jefferson dominated every aspect, didn't face a deficit all night and swept 4A No. 1 Cedar Rapids Xavier (25-17, 25-17, 25-14) in an MVC Mississippi Division volleyball match in front of about 1,200 Tuesday night at Ron Thillen Gymnasium.

'If we play our best and stay focused, we can do anything,' setter Maddy Baxter said. 'We can play with anybody.'

Evidence of Jefferson's dominance: The J-Hawks (2-0 overall, 1-0 MVC Mississippi) didn't trail in any of the three sets. They didn't yield an ace serve. They didn't allow a run longer than three points. And thus, Coach Amy Norton didn't burn a timeout.

'You could tell our girls really wanted it,' Norton said. 'They were playing for each other. They're a strong-minded, goal-driven match. When they put their minds to something, they're going to be hard to stop.'

After the last couple years of the J-Hawks' identity being a 'young team on the rise,' they appear to have risen to a level not seen on the west side in a long time.

'We have more experience now,' said Sydney Kloubec, who led all hitters with 16 kills. 'We're talking more, connecting more.

'We really think this is the year.'

When it was over and the handshakes were complete, the Jefferson student section — about 75 in all — occupied the floor with the victors.

Maddie Slagle added 13 kills for Jefferson, which owned a 48-27 advantage in kills. Lindsey Culver posted seven. Baxter directed it all with 44 assists.

'(Jefferson was) very good tonight,' Xavier Coach Austin Filer said. 'They played with a lot of energy. You could tell they were extremely determined.

'We struggled to find a way to get them into trouble. But we'll get better. This is a good reality check.'

Charlotte Richards and Ellie McDermott tallied eight kills apiece for the Saints (1-1, 0-1).

Jefferson held a 14-13 edge in the first set before Kloubec nailed three kills in a 6-1 surge to break it open. The J-Hawks jumped in front to a 6-1 advantage in Game 2, and 6-2 in the finale.

CEDAR RAPIDS JEFFERSON 3, CEDAR RAPIDS XAVIER 0 (25-17, 25-17, 25-14)

At C.R. Xavier

Serving — Jefferson 64-72 (.889), Xavier 44-50 (.880).

Aces — Jefferson 6 (Maddy Baxter, Raya George 2), Xavier 0.

Kills — Jefferson 48 (Sydney Kloubec 16), Xavier 27 (Charlotte Richards, Ellie McDermott 8).

Assists — Jefferson 44 (Baxter 38), Xavier 27 (Rachel Sodawasser 13)

Blocks — Jefferson 7 (Maddie Peters 5), Xavier 2 (Emily Jasper, Olivia Richards)

l Comments: (319) 368-8857; jeff.linder@thegazette.com