Mackenzie May leads Dubuque Wahlert to a quick sweep

CEDAR RAPIDS — Mackenzie May called this a restoration mission.

"We're trying to restore some of the legacy," May said after a 27-kill virtuoso helped send second-ranked Dubuque Wahlert past No. 7 Lewis Central, 25-11, 25-12, 25-17, in a Class 4A quarterfinal at the state volleyball tournament Tuesday afternoon at the U.S. Cellular Center.

Wahlert's volleyball tradition stacks up favorably with virtually anybody in the state, though Western Christian can make a valid argument. The Wahlert gym features 17 championship banners, but they're getting a bit dusty — the last title came in 2005.

The Golden Eagles' previous trip here was in 2011, and the four-year state drought that followed was the longest in program history.

'Obviously, the goal here every year is to get to state,' said Coach Lindsey Beaves, a 2004 Wahlert graduate who (as Lindsey Kane) was a major contributor toward the end of the dynasty. 'This group has worked awfully hard. To get that first match out of the way and get the jitters out, that's great.'

There's not much need for nerves when you've got May on your side. The UCLA recruit was virtually unstoppable as the Golden Eagles (26-6) took care of business in about an hour.

'She still puts up shots that you look up and say, 'I haven't seen that one before,'' Beaves said. 'There's always something in her bag of tricks.'

Mostly, it's pure power, whether from the outside or from the back row.

'Everything was clicking for us today,' May said. 'The back row was passing. (Setter) Jenna (Gremmel) was putting the ball right where I needed it.'

Wahlert advances to face No. 6 Cedar Rapids Xavier (32-9) in a semifinal at noon Thursday. The Saints defeated No. 3 Marion in four sets.

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