Hawks’ ‘under-the-radar’ image takes a hit

MARION - Megan Sprengeler is relishing these days of anonymity.

'We came in here under the radar,” she said. 'I kind of like that.”

Those days might be coming to an end, though. If Cedar Rapids Prairie didn't turn the corner Saturday, it certainly approached the intersection.

The Linn-Mar Invitational volleyball tournament featured five ranked teams. But it was the Hawks that were the last team standing, then lining up against the wall for full-smile pictures afterward.

Prairie swept Class 5A sixth-rated Linn-Mar for the title, 21-14, 21-12.

'We were excited to come here and find out where we're at,” said Prairie Coach Lynnette Stecklein, serving in her first year as the Hawks' leader after 13 seasons as an assistant to Kevin Geary. 'We made huge strides today, gained tons of confidence and put everything together.”

Sprengeler and UNI recruit Kate Busswitz controlled the net in the final as Prairie (8-3) won decisively.

'I think the difference was that they were still jumping and moving their feet,” said Linn-Mar Coach Teresa Kehe. 'They adjusted to the things we did, and we kind of ran out of gas.”

Much has been said and written about the prowess of the Wamac Conference, but the Hawks and the Lions (10-3) both took down Wamac heavyweights to reach their championship encounter.

Prairie emerged from an 8-8 third-set tie to beat Class 3A No. 1 Solon (11-3), 21-14, 9-21, 15-9. It was one of three Prairie wins Saturday that required a third set.

Linn-Mar avenged a pool-play loss to 4A No. 3 Marion (10-2), 13-21, 21-19, 15-10.

The Hawks took command of the finale midway through the first set, scoring four straight points for an 11-7 lead. They held the upper hand the rest of the way.

'We were able to calm down (after the Marion match) and really focus in,” said setter Mallory Jones. 'We knew they were going to tip on us a lot.”

Sprengeler liked the under-the-radar scene, but she's OK that the Hawks may be gaining some notoriety, too.

'People can start watching out for Prairie now,” she said.

Numbers are high at Prairie in Stecklein's first season. The varsity roster consists of 25 players.

'They're a dedicated group of girls,” Stecklein said. 'The girls that didn't play much today, they're the ones that continue to battle (the starters) every day, and that pushes everyone forward.”

The teams meet again Tuesday in a Mississippi Valley Conference cross-divisional match at Prairie.

'We'll be ready to take them on again,” Sprengeler said. 'Round 2.”

LINN-MAR INVITATIONAL VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT

Pool A - 1. C.R. Prairie 3-0, 2. Pleasant Valley 2-1, 3. Vinton-Shellsburg 1-2, 4. Iowa City Regina 0-3.

C.R. Prairie def. Iowa City Regina, 21-16, 21-13

Pleasant Valley def. Vinton-Shellsburg, 21-17, 21-16

C.R. Prairie def. Vinton-Shellsburg, 15-21, 21-11, 15-12

Pleasant Valley def. Iowa City Regina, 21-12, 21-15

C.R. Prairie def. Pleasant Valley, 14-21, 21-15, 15-9

Vinton-Shellsburg def. Iowa City Regina, 17-21, 21-11, 19-17

Pool B - 1. Marion 3-0, 2. Linn-Mar 2-1, 3. Springville 1-2, 4. Muscatine 0-3.

Marion def. Springville, 21-7, 21-13

Linn-Mar def. Muscatine, 21-7, 21-4

Marion def. Linn-Mar, 21-17, 21-18

Springville def. Muscatine, 21-15, 22-20

Marion def. Muscatine, 21-7, 21-7

Linn-Mar def. Springville, 21-10, 21-9

Pool C - 1. Solon 3-0, 2. Center Point-Urbana 2-1, 3. Dubuque Hempstead 1-2, 4. Waterloo East 0-3.

Solon def. Center Point-Urbana, 23-21, 21-11

Dubuque Hempstead def. Waterloo East, 21-8, 21-10

Solon def. Waterloo East, 21-19, 21-12

Center Point-Urbana def. Dubuque Hempstead, 25-23, 17-21, 15-10

Solon def. Dubuque Hempstead, 19-21, 21-15, 15-12

Center Point-Urbana def. Waterloo East, 21-9, 21-15

Consolation Semifinals

Springville def. Muscatine, 21-13, 21-19

Iowa City Regina def. Waterloo East, 21-19, 22-20

Consolation Final

Iowa City Regina def. Springville, 21-17, 21-13

Quarterfinals

Marion def. Vinton-Shellsburg, 21-6, 21-14

Linn-Mar def. Pleasant Valley, 21-14, 21-15

Solon def. Dubuque Hempstead, 21-11, 19-21, 17-15

C.R. Prairie def. Center Point-Urbana, 21-18, 21-14

Semifinals

Linn-Mar def. Marion, 13-21, 21-19, 15-10

C.R. Prairie def. Solon, 21-14, 9-21, 15-9

Championship

C.R. Prairie def. Linn-Mar, 21-14, 21-12

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