No. 1 Hawks resume their championship quest

MANCHESTER — There's a void in the trophy case outside Seedorff Gymnasium, and Brett Mather is the first to admit it.

'A state championship is something that's missing for this (volleyball) program, and it's something that's missing from my coaching (resume),' Mather said last week. 'There's no doubt about that, and it's something that we'll continue to pursue.'

It's indisputable that, at West Delaware High School, Mather has constructed one of the state's most consistent winners. The last 19 years have netted a 623-136 record.

Let's zero in on the last 12 seasons. The Hawks have posted a 470-70 mark in that time — more than 30 wins each year — with nine state-tournament appearances.

Five times, the Hawks have gotten to the state-championship match. Five times, they settled for second place.

'Too damn many,' Mather said.

In 2003 and 2004, Dubuque Wahlert — then a volleyball dynasty — toppled a Hawks team led by eventual Division-I players Morgan Salow and Ashten Stelken.

The big heartbreaker came in 2006, when the Hawks reached the finals with a 49-0 record, but Sioux City Heelan rallied from a two-set deficit.

'That's the one that still stings,' Mather said.

The Hawks were beaten by excellent outfits in 2010 (Mount Vernon) and 2014 (Harlan).

And that brings us to the present, and a promising immediate future. With four returning starters, the Hawks carry the preseason No. 1 tag in Class 4A.

'We're going to push hard to get back to state again, and maybe finally win that state championship,' said senior setter Carlee Ketchum, a returning first-team all-stater who averaged 8.85 assists per set last season and engineers the Hawks' fast-tempo attack.

Ketchum has three reliable senior hitters in which to turn. Addison Brooks (5-11 middle) averaged 2.50 kills per set in 2014 and earned second-team all-state honors. Kristen Wegmann (5-10 outside) added 2.44 kills per set, Bridget Hoffmann (5-9 middle) tacked on 1.85.

Brooks, who posted a lofty .462 kill efficiency, suffered a torn labrum in her shoulder last season and is working her way back. She vowed to be on the court when the Hawks open the season at the Independence tournament Saturday.

Mather, 45, still plays on a men's club team as a setter. He doesn't bark at his players as much these days.

'I've mellowed a ton. I think that's a good thing,' he said. 'Maybe I'm not as particular as I used to be, or as I should be. I'll keep pushing the girls. When I stop, it will be time to be done. Hopefully, that's not for another 20 years or so.'

Said Brooks: 'He pushes us to do our very best. We'll practice our very hardest.'

Mather credits the community's winning mentality as much as anything for the Hawks' ongoing success.

'We have girls here that are highly competitive,' he said. You've got to mix the competitiveness with fun. If you do that, you're going to sustain success over the long haul.'

Many schools have their players scatter during club season. With few exceptions, most of Mather's players stick together, playing for the Hammerin' Hawks club squad. That promotes continuity, and when high school season starts, West Delaware is at an advantage.

'It's an amazing experience, playing here,' Ketchum said. 'The friendships we grow, being able to play with your friends, your family.'

Despite the returners and despite the ranking, Mather doesn't consider his team the 4A frontrunner as the season approaches.

'There are teams out there that are better than us right now,' he said. 'I think (second-ranked) Marion is better than us. They have more offensive weapons than we do.'

Still, come November, he feels that elusive championship is attainable.

'We've got as good a shot as anybody,' he said.

SUSTAINED EXCELLENCE

West Delaware's volleyball program has reached the 30-win plateau in each of the last 12 seasons. In nine of the last 12 years, the Hawks have reached the state tournament, including five runner-up finishes. Here is their ledger, since 2003.

2003 — 41-3, Class 3A state runner-up

2004 — 44-3, Class 3A state runner-up

2005 — 33-8

2006 — 49-1, Class 3A state runner-up

2007 — 42-5, Class 3A state semifinalist

2008 — 35-9, Class 3A state qualifier

2009 — 35-9

2010 — 41-4, Class 3A state runner-up

2011 — 37-7

2012 — 31-12, Class 4A state qualifier

2013 — 37-6, Class 4A state qualifier

2014 — 45-3, Class 4A state runner-up

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