Volleyball notes: Western Dubuque’s Madison Maahs has the stats, and the success

According to teammate Maddie Harris, Western Dubuque setter Madison Maahs “has the prettiest hands I’ve ever seen.”

Pretty, as in soft.

The reason?

“Lots of wall sets,” Maahs said. “And lots of time in the weight room. I have a lot of upper-body strength. That helps you get a soft touch.”

Maahs recently climbed the 2,000-assist peak for her career. Her 54 assists in the Bobcats’ five-set win over Cedar Rapids Prairie got her to 2,180 with most of her senior season remaining.

As of Wednesday morning, Maahs ranks third in the state at 10.7 assists per set. The Bobcats (7-2) are ranked No. 2 in Class 4A.

Maahs became the full-time starter as a sophomore, and — not coincidentally — the program rocketed upward. The Bobcats reached the 4A state final in 2019 and advanced to the semifinals in 2020.

Both seasons, she had more than 900 assists.

“The credit goes to everybody,” Maahs said. “Ever since the first time I stepped in the gym, the hitters, the passers ... they gave me good balls to set.”

And she has given good balls for the Bobcats to clobber.

“I enjoy hitting off of her,” said Harris, who collected 24 kills Tuesday.

Tri-Rivers cross-division clash

At No. 2 in Class 1A, Springville has reached its highest volleyball ranking in school history.

Ditto for Lisbon, which is rated No. 6 in 1A.

The Orioles and the Lions will collide in a Tri-Rivers Conference cross-division showdown Thursday at Lisbon.

Springville (9-2) has reached the state tournament four of the last five years.

Junior Nia Howard is a returning all-state setter, averaging 7.32 assists per set. Her top targets are junior Kennady Breitfelder (2.20 kills per set, .450 kill efficiency) and senior Lauren Wilson (2.12, .230).

Lisbon (5-0) is the reigning Tri-Rivers tournament champion. Junior Peyton Robinson is an excellent all-around player, posting 3.45 kills and 3.55 assists per set.

Juniors Ella Clark and Blair Baltes and sophomore Ava Czarnecki are additional threats, and junior Kali Nelson (9.81 assists per set) runs the show.

The Lions have played only one match — a sweep over North Linn — in the past 15 days.

Macy Daufeldt is prolific, and efficient

West Liberty’s Macy Daufeldt has climbed to the top of the state leaderboard in kill efficiency.

A 6-foot senior outside hitter bound for Drake University, Daufeldt has collected 139 kills — against 19 hitting errors — in 204 attacks. That translates to a staggering .588 kill efficiency.

Her 6.04 kills per set ranks No. 2 statewide, behind Dyersville Beckman’s Kiersten Schmitt (6.17).

Daufeldt was a Class 3A second-team all-stater last season.

West Liberty moved to 11-0 with five wins at the Muscatine Invitational last Saturday. The Comets are 23-0 in sets and play at the Williamsburg Invite on Saturday.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com