Experience counts as Waverly tops Maquoketa

CEDAR RAPIDS - A little too much, a little too soon.

Perhaps next season the Maquoketa Cardinals will be more equipped to handle playing in the state volleyball tournament atmosphere, against an opponent like Waverly-Shell Rock. But not Wednesday.

Experience - and talent - were decisive factors in the Go-Hawks' 25-16, 25-15, 25-17 three-game sweep in a Class 3A first-rounder.

"We were ready right away," said Waverly's Morgan Kuhrt. "We didn't get off to a slow start, we weren't (tight). We just played our game."

And it's a mighty fine game. W-SR improved to 46-3 and into the 3A semifinals for a third straight season thanks in large part to a tall and intimidating group of hitters that includes Iowa State recruit Kuhrt.

She finished with a match-high 17 kills. Too much, too soon for Maquoketa (32-6), making its state tournament debut.

"We've got a good nucleus of Morgan, Kinsey (Caldwell) and Abby (Caldwell)," said Waverly-Shell Rock Coach Eavon Woodin. "They've been here before and have taken the lead. The other girls have followed along. They've done well."

You could tell Maquoketa had early jitters, as Waverly ran to a 10-1 Game 1 lead. The Cardinals hung in there, but never seriously threatened.

Allison Vandemore and Haleigh Daurelle had team-leading seven kills each. Maquoketa made 22 attack errors, another sign of those rookie jitters.

"We settled down a lot," said Maquoketa setter Marlee Lindstrom, one of five underclassmen in the starting lineup. "Waverly has been here before ... A lot of nerves. We had to shake those off and just play."

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