Volleyball hangs up its 18th state title

The volleyball team served up an electric year by winning the state championship in Cedar Rapids last Friday afternoon. The team was 26-6 and didn’t lose a set in the postseason with three three-set victories in the quarterfinals, semi-finals and finals.

Mackenzie May, ‘17, who had a standout year, thinks the season went  well. “I think the team accepted challenges and fought through injuries to come back stronger,” said May.

May completed her goal by winning the state title in her last year as a Golden Eagle. She also was captain of the all-tournament team and joined by Jenna Gremmel, ‘18, and Krystal Tranel, ‘18.

“State was very exciting, but also very nerve-wracking. Pella was a good team, but I felt we were more prepared,” said May.

With that, Mackenzie May reflects on her four years of Wahlert Volleyball by saying, “The program progressively got better and so did I, and I will always be thankful for my years in the program.”

May has cherished her senior season, and she says one of her favorite parts of the season was the Asics Challenge in Chicago, and the last point of the championship game capping off her dominance as a player at Wahlert.

Besides UCLA-commit May, there are also other very important role players on the team that got the Eagles to Cedar Rapids. One of these included Mykenna Horchak, ‘18, who had a great year.

“We had a good season, a lot of people got stronger and conquered a lot of great things,” said Horchak.

Horchak has had a season to remember with her teammates and their bond has gotten stronger throughout the year. She’s enjoyed, “Just getting to know my teammates more and playing with the seniors for one last year.”