Dubuque Wahlert stays composed in state volleyball quarterfinal win over Carroll Kuemper

CORALVILLE — Dubuque Wahlert’s growth as a team was on full display at a critical point of Tuesday’s Class 3A state volleyball quarterfinal match with Carroll Kuemper.

After winning the first set, the Golden Eagles dropped the second and fell behind 22-19 in the third.

With Kuemper in prime position to take a 2-1 lead in the match, the Golden Eagles dug in.

“I think they did a great job of keeping their composure,” said Wahlert Coach Lindsay Beaves. “I think in the past we would have lost that set and would have gotten down on ourselves.”

After a timeout, the No. 4 Golden Eagles went on a five-point run, then maintained control in the fourth set to post a 25-18, 22-25, 25-23, 25-17 victory at Xtream Arena.

Wahlert will take a 26-8 mark into Wednesday's semifinal match against top-ranked Mount Vernon. The Mustangs advanced with a straight-set win over Mid-Prairie.

The Golden Eagles are a veteran unit with 13 seniors on the state tournament roster. Beaves has watched this group develop since many of them were on the varsity as sophomores.

“They leaned into the struggle,” Beaves said. “They know it is supposed to be hard when you get to this point. I thought we picked up our serve and pass game after we struggled in the second set.”

Senior Audrey Tschiggfrie echoed her coach's comments.

“We served the ball so much better in that set,” she said. “We've been preparing for this since the summer. We watched a lot of film and we practiced really hard to be ready to play today.”

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Photos: Dubuque Wahlert vs. Carroll Kuemper in Class 3A state volleyball quarterfinals

Another factor that helped the Golden Eagles was going against a strong Mississippi Valley Conference schedule, playing against 4A and 5A schools.

“We talk about that a lot,” Beaves said of the MVC schedule. “Our season is a grind and I think halfway through sometimes it can be discouraging when we look at our record and who we have to play next.

“We've leaned into it and used it to our advantage. I think it makes a difference when you get to state.”

Mount Vernon knocked Wahlert out in the quarterfinals last year and they have not met this season.

“We know it is going to be a challenge,” Beaves said. “Maggie (Coach Willems) does such a great job getting them prepared. I think we'll be ready for that challenge.”

Tschiggfrie and Anna Roling led the offense with 14 kills each for Wahlert. Brianna Wittrock had 19 kills for the Knights, who finish 37-4.