This time, there’s no denying Solon

CEDAR RAPIDS - Sometimes, the difference is as simple as this:

Solon's hitters hit harder.

Jordan Runge and Jordan Smith terminated with velocity and efficiency, and Solon swept Highway 1, Wamac Conference rival Mount Vernon, 25-13, 25-21, 25-20 for the Class 3A championship at the state volleyball tournament Friday afternoon at the U.S. Cellular Center.

'It's probably the best we played all season,” Runge said. 'We pulled together so well. It's a great feeling.”

The second-ranked Spartans (33-8) were 4A runners-up in 2012 and 2013. They weren't about to be denied again.

'We wanted it so bad,” said Smith, the all-tournament captain. 'We gave it everything we had. Our serving was phenomenal. We kept getting them out of system.

'We gave up our bodies. I bet I have 20 floor burns.”

The teams had split their two prior meetings, and Mount Vernon (33-8) came into the match with the No. 1 ranking. But Solon was superior on this day from start to finish.

'Ever since (preseason) camp, we wanted to be a better serving team this season,” said Solon Coach Peter Gustin. 'We wanted to use our serve as a weapon. It we can get a team out of system, it's a weapon.”

Speaking of weapons, consider the Spartans' two hard-hitting Jordans. Runge collected 18 kills (against two errors, in 24 swings, for a .667 efficiency), and Smith added 13. Solon out-killed the Mustangs, 48-29, and posted a team efficiency of .381.

'Solon played a great match,” said Mount Vernon Coach Maggie Willems. 'Give them all the credit. We didn't have an answer defensively for them. We had a lot of difficulty blocking them.”

Smith, Runge and setter Taylor Nearad (42 assists) headlined the all-tournament team. They were joined by Morgan Melchert and Libby Ryan of Mount Vernon, Kate Walker of Red Oak and Kati Cassabaum of Nevada.

Solon was the frontrunner virtually all match. Mount Vernon did not taste the lead in the opening set. The Mustangs' latest advantage was 4-3 in Game 2, 2-1 in Game 3.

'We gave them a lot of opportunities to be in system,” Melchert said. 'They ran a quick offense, and Runge and Smith were amazing.

'They had experience in a championship match, and I think the fact that they had lost the last two times here, they might have had a little more motivation than us.”

They were hungry, yes, and they were heavy hitters.

'Jordan and Jordan, they're really talented,” beamed Solon libero Reed McCarty.

She paused.

'I feel like I'm a dream right now.”

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