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PREP VOLLEYBALL: Iowa domination continues in senior all-star clash

E.Chen3 months ago

When Sherrard High School’s Eva Zimmerman put down the first kill in Monday’s 9th annual Iowa vs. Illinois Senior All Star Match, a fellow Team Illinois member on the bench cheered and excitedly said “We’re winning.”

It drew high fives and smiles.

Those in the black uniforms had a feeling what was coming from across the net.

For the ninth straight year, Team Iowa dominated the season-ending event at Beyond The Baseline facility in Davenport and it was easy to why the Iowa siders were able to roll to a 25-18, 25-8, 25-21 sweep.

After the match, eight of the 10 Team Iowa teammates gathered for a commemorative photo to mark their relationships formed with the Iowa Select club team for which they all played.

That connection between North Scott state-championship standouts Kaci Johnson, Sydney Skarich and Georgia Brunkan, Davenport North’s Chloe Baez and Addison Miller, Assumption’s Maggie Johnson, Clinton’s Amelia Tubbs, and Muscatine’s Brylee Seaman showed on the court. The all-star team pulled from their past, looking like they had done this once or twice before together.

“That just showed how many of us played together,” said Skarich, who on Monday showed off a strong service game as well as strength at the net. “Even the other girls that we didn’t play with, we know them and know their games.”

And that had Team Iowa once again flexing its collective muscles and playing like a regular team and not an all-star bunch thrown together.

“I have played with so many of these girls my whole life,” said Tubbs, who was all over the court for Team Iowa. “And I’ve also played against so many of them. It’s fun to have that little rivalry throwing a little fun in there.”

Tubbs, who played all six positions, was in on at least six kills and set up Skarich for the match-ending kill.

North Scott’s Johnson had five kills and set from the front row.

Assumption’s Johnson led Team Iowa with 10 kills.

“We were all out there together again and it was the same type of feeling,” said North Scott’s Johnson of things clicking with the Iowa Select connections. “We were all really good. ... We were all pretty excited to have that feeling of playing together and getting that chemistry back.”

Even with Illinois striking first, Iowa wasted little time in bouncing back and taking control.

With Set 1 tied at 10, Skarich, after a side out with a kill, took the serve and put up five straight points with the help of two Maggie Johnson kills and three Illinois errors.

Skarich also had a six-point service run in Set 3 that gave Team Iowa a 12-1 lead.

“This was a lot of fun tonight,” said Skarich. “A lot of us have played together and it’s fun having one last time to play together – for our high schools and for each other.”

This has been a big week for Skarich. The Iowa high jump champ said she just decided on her college future and will attend Illinois State University to continue in that sport.

While she chose track & field for her collegiate endeavors, many of the 21 young ladies participating will continue playing volleyball in college, including Tubbs, who is headed to Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa.

“This was a lot of fun,” said Tubbs. “I went out there and tried to have fun for one of the last games with these girls.”

Skarich was strong at the net all evening, finishing with 10 kills.

Orion’s Rachel Bowers was among the standouts for Team Illinois. The outside hitter finished with a team-high six kills, just ahead of Rock Island’s Addie Bomelyn’s four.

Moline’s Ayla Jenkins appeared to have the most fun of anyone on the court – during play and even between sets. She showed her energy with tremendous digs as well as impressive dance moves that entertained the nice-sized crowd.

“I feel like I always have energy,” said said with a smile. “All through my childhood I’ve been the one girl that sticks out; my dad calls me annoying. I say I’m unique and outstanding.”

All of the girls in action Monday were part of the special event and appreciated the opportunity to play one last event as high schoolers before moving on.

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