Eastern Iowa Xtreme Takes Home 17 National USAV Title
Being able to win the last match of the season, a celebration full of screams, jumps, a banner, trophy, and the top of the podium is always so sweet after eight months of training, plenty of nights in a hotel, hundreds of miles traveled (maybe thousands), big wins, and tough losses. For the athletes of Eastern Iowa Xtreme out of Mount Vernon, they were able to reach the top of the National Division in Indianapolis going 11-0 which included a three set thrilling match in the championship.
“What an outstanding way for our group to finish the season,” said Coach Jeff Meeker.
“I was very proud of how we played great team volleyball and received positive contributions from everyone.”
This team had big expectations to start the season with a power packed lineup, with multiple division one athletes and a few on the rise, it was only a matter of time before this team would hit their peak. There were close loses to Six Pack at the Iowa Regional, and then at MEQ in Indianapolis where this squad would claw back from tough day one to finish in the final four of one of the toughest qualifiers in the country. However this past week, all the pieces would fall into place enroute to a national title.
This feeling will never get old😁 #NationalChamps pic.twitter.com/9ESWivYMbR
— Aliyah Carter (@aliyah_carter22) July 5, 2019
EIX started the tournament out with six matches without dropping a set, however the title was not earned without a little adversity along the way. Come day three, one of the toughest matches of the tournament is the crossover match against an opponent from another gold pool. Throw out how they got there and the records, if a team wins, they advance on to the championship bracket, the final eight. A loss and the best finish would be 9th. After dropping the first set of the match 15-25 to Rockwood Thunder 17 Navy out of St. Louis, EIX would come back to win the next two sets 25-17, 15-11 to earn a spot in the elite eight. After starting championship day off with two sweeps, the championship match would be highly contested with Elevation out of Ohio. After splitting the first two sets, it would be EIX 15-13 in a set three thriller to seal the deal.
“The championship match was a great battle between very good teams. It was the type of competition you want to be in for the title,” said Meeker, who is also the head coach at Cornell College in Mount Vernon.
“We have been a strong offensive team all season, this week out outsides were dominant and we did a good job distributing our sets and scoring points in other places. I was also proud of how our team maintained our composure at times when we weren’t at our best. I thought we really did a good job playing one point at a time.”
Day 4 GJNC..#WhateverItTakes @PrepDigChris @PrepDigIA @PrepVolleyball @usavolleyball pic.twitter.com/q84CkZyHvU
— Eastern Iowa Xtreme 17 Teal (@iowa_17) July 6, 2019
Aliyah Carter (Wahlert Catholic, Kansas State) was dominant along the way along with her counterpart on the pin, Kacia Brown (Cedar Falls, Mississippi State) earning All American honors with Carter taking home the MVP. Rylee Fay (Liberty, Missouri State), the standout setter was also named All American.
Most of the athletes for EIX will now be entering their Senior year of high school, looking to finish off illustrious careers, while Sydney Dennis and Natalie Welch, two top Class of 2021 athletes, will be Juniors.
Athletes on Eastern Iowa Xtreme 17 Teal
Rylee Fay – Liberty – Missouri State
LeeAnn Potter – Liberty
Sydney Dennis – North Cedar – Iowa
Aliyah Carter – Dubuque Wahlert – Kansas State
Bailey Ortega – Davenport North – Iowa
Emily Strauss – Linn-Mar
Natalie Welch – Mount Vernon
Delaney Rice – Marion – St. Louis
Kacia Brown – Cedar Falls – Mississippi State
#WE>ME pic.twitter.com/uCAkens1zQ
— Eastern Iowa Xtreme 17 Teal (@iowa_17) July 5, 2019