Kirkwood volleyball ranked No. 6 as Emma Meester helps guide talented freshmen

CEDAR RAPIDS — At the junior-college level, just one year separates the rookies from the veterans.

For Kirkwood’s Emma Meester, the transition from freshman to sophomore has suddenly thrust her into a leadership role on the Eagles’ freshman-heavy volleyball roster.

“Being loud, supportive, encouraging,” Meester said after the NJCAA Division II sixth-ranked Eagles swept Southeastern, 25-17, 25-16, 25-23, in an Iowa Community College Athletic Conference match Tuesday night at Johnson Hall. “Also competing with the freshmen. … Really impressed (with the freshmen). They move, they hit really hard.”

No Kirkwood returner had more kills last season than Meester (267), which helped the outside hitter land a spot on the ICCAC All-Region second team for an Eagles squad that finished 35-11 and reached the national tournament for the eighth time in nine years.

With 10 kills against Southeastern, Meester now is second on the team with 154 through 18 matches for Kirkwood (13-5, 4-0 ICCAC).

“Emma has really come a long way in two years,” second-year Kirkwood Coach Dave Brown said. “Watching her growth, not only on the court but just as a person, has been really cool to be a part of. She’s extremely coachable. She’s got a great sense of humor.

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“That is a kid who I want to set when it’s 24-23 and the game is on the line. She doesn’t hesitate. She doesn’t shy away from it. She’s cold-blooded and I love that.”

True to Brown’s word, a Meester kill in the third set started a 5-1 Kirkwood closing burst that helped the Eagles avoid a fourth set and cap the sweep.

“We just strategized,” Meester said. “We see what is open and we saw that whoever had the best ability to hit would smack it down.”

In high school, Meester worked through two seasons at the junior-varsity level to become a standout performer for a Mount Vernon team that won 69 matches and reached the state tournament in her final two seasons. These days, Meester still checks in on her alma mater, where her younger sisters Chloe and Sophia – both outside hitters – have the Mustangs ranked No. 1 in Class 3A.

“I always try and watch and see how they are doing,” Meester said. “It is really nice seeing how they hit and support each other out there.”

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Two of Kirkwood's whopping nine freshmen continued their strong collegiate debuts. Setter Kaci Johnson posted nine kills and 21 assists and leads the team in both categories overall (175 kills, 378 assists). Outside hitter Josie Bryan added four kills and now has 152 this season.

“When we’re good, we’re really good,” Meester said. “It’s just a great environment to be in and it’s so exciting to play with them.”

Kirkwood visits Marshalltown Thursday.

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