Davenport Assumption wins its first state volleyball championship

Knights top Sioux Center in a 3A battle of first-time finalists

Nov. 3, 2022 5:39 pm, Updated: Nov. 4, 2022 10:12 am

Davenport Assumption players cheer with their student section after defeating Sioux Center in the Class 3A state volleyball final Thursday at Xtream Arena, Coralville. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

CORALVILLE — Ava Schubert didn’t want to let go of the trophy.

Or the moment.

The all-tournament captain, Schubert smacked 17 kills as second-ranked Davenport Assumption captured its first state volleyball championship Thursday afternoon at Xtream Arena. The Knights (33-7) swept No. 4 Sioux Center, 25-23, 25-16, 25-21.

“I’m a senior, so it was now or never,” said Schubert, a Tennessee Tech University commit. “I’m wearing a pink (championship) shirt right now, and that’s awesome.”

Assumption rallied from a 20-18 deficit in the first set, then emerged from an 18-18 deadlock in the third.

The Knights were able to avoid Sioux Center’s lethal block. The Warriors (32-4) collected 21 blocks in a semifinal win over Des Moines Christian, but managed just six Thursday.

“We had to change things up a little bit,” Schubert said. “We had to take our offense off the net. If they block it, go for it and swing again.”

Maggie Johnson added 11 kills for the Knights, and also made the all-tournament team.

The rest of the honor team consisted of Willow Bleeker and Reagan Jansen of Sioux Center, Chloe Meester of Mount Vernon, Aubrey Gates of Union Community and Gabby Lombardi of Des Moines Christian.