HIGH SCHOOL JOURNALISM: Iowa Rockets are national champions

Editor's note: Here is your chance to tell your story about your team, your school or your favorite player. If you'd like to join The Gazette's growing list of high school contributors, contact J.R. Ogden at jr.ogden@thegazette.com. Katherine is doing a 90-hour internship with us this summer through the Kirkwood Workplace Learning Connection.

By Katherine Bauer, Xavier juniorThe Iowa Rockets 18R volleyball team had a remarkable victory in Dallas earlier this week.“They had a fairy tale ending down at nationals,” Coach Chin Nguyen said. “We were all crying. We had finally won nationals.”The Rockets won the USAV Championship, beating Saddleback Valley from Lake Forest, Calif., 25-19 and 25-11.“We just made them look silly,” Nguyen said, “which was really shocking. The other clubs have bigger pools to pull players from.”The win was a big boost for the 18R team and the Iowa Rockets club. The 16R team finished second in the 16 open division and the 17R team placed ninth.“It's amazing to see hard work end with a national title,” Nguyen said. “I'm surprised and excited. I'm really proud of the girls and happy for them.”The team has grown tremendously in its time together.“Two or three years ago they lost matches,” Nguyen said. “We've been together three or four years. We work to get better and better everyday. We're competing against 6-foot-5 girls, and they're learning to not be intimidated.”Nguyen takes great pride in his team and understands the effort they give.“They've made sacrifices,” he said. “They are hard workers. Midwest girls work hard.”Middle blocker Kelsey Cave hasn't played since March due to a stress fracture in her back. Cave, who graduated from Solon this spring, will play at Bradley University this fall.“She's a beast,” Nguyen said. “She hasn't played much, but the girls rallied around her.”Setter Alyssa Klostermann, who graduated from Dubuque Wahlert and will play at Iowa this fall, was named USA MVP at the Dallas tournament.“It was an amazing feeling,” Klostermann said, “not only for me, but for the whole team. It was our last time playing together. It was really special.”The club works to be one of the best in Iowa while enhancing each players' skills.“We get kids from all over,” Nguyen said. “Our program is one of the best in the state and we're probably the biggest. Everyone else knows who we are, even at nationals.”The Rockets enjoy a family atmosphere.“They love each other,” Nguyen said. “They're like sisters. The parents get excited to hang out with each other.”Nguyen knows the most important part of competition.“No one will remember who won,” he said. “I never keep stats. It points out who's making a mistake. Players play for each other. If they're having fun, the score will fix itself.”