Dierks returns home, crafts a winner

Allyssa Dierks returned to her alma mater when a third-grade teaching job came open.

When the head volleyball position became available as well, that was gravy.

'It's nice to come back and build relationships with these girls,” Dierks said. 'I think I have their respect, and they understand that I'm willing to help them out.”

Winning, well, that doesn't hurt either.

Alburnett is on the brink of the Tri-Rivers Conference West Division championship. In a division that was supposed to be ruled by Springville and Lisbon, the Pirates (15-7 overall, 4-0 division) swept them both in the last two weeks.

'These last few matches have been phenomenal,” said Dierks, 23, a 2009 Alburnett graduate. 'I hope we're able to keep it all going.”

Dierks isn't the only youngster on the staff. Her cousin, 25-year-old Amber Waring, is the assistant.

The roster isn't that much younger.

'We've got some excellent hitters, and our defense has been able to dig up a lot,” Dierks said. 'Individually, our players might not be the strongest, but they've meshed really well into a good team.”

Junior Taylor Huber has emerged as the Pirates' primary net threat, averaging 4.40 kills per set with a .400 kill efficiency. Senior Jill Freeland is next at 2.04 and .282.

Renae Jensen averages 7.87 assists per set, Maddie Volesky 4.08 digs.

Alburnett closes its Tri-Rivers West slate against East Buchanan (at home, Thursday) and Maquoketa Valley (at Delhi, Tuesday).

HAWKS PUT PERFECTION TO THE TEST

The meat of the Wamac Conference East Division slate has arrived.

Class 4A second-ranked West Delaware (29-0, 5-0) faces 3A No. 1 Solon (19-4, 5-0) for sole possession on the division lead Thursday at Solon.

The Hawks stayed perfect Tuesday by sweeping Dyersville Beckman at home. They own a set record of 63-1. Solon handled DeWitt Central on Tuesday.

Then, on Tuesday, the Hawks host 3A No. 2 Mount Vernon (21-3, 5-1), which currently carries an 11-match win streak.

WESTSIDE STACKED, LIKE ALWAYS

The 24-team Westside Invitational tournament Saturday, hosted by Cedar Rapids Jefferson, features 12 ranked teams.

Pool play begins at 8:30 a.m. and concludes around 2 p.m. Bracket action is scheduled to start at 2:30, with the championship match slated for 5:30.

Dike-New Hartford is the defending Westside champion. The 2A second-rated Wolverines are three-time defending 2A state champs.

Other top contenders include Ankeny Centennial, West Delaware, Solon, Mount Vernon, Marion, West Des Moines Dowling and West Liberty.

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