wmu

The Winfield-Mount Union Wolves will look to bring home a trophy from the final stage of this year’s Southeast Iowa Super Conference Volleyball Tournament when they compete in the bracket round Saturday at Southeastern Community College in West Burlington.

By taking two of three matches in pool play Thursday at Danville, WMU finished second in Pool 1 and improved their overall record to 12-9. The Wolves have now won six of their last seven matches, including a 4-0 start to conference play.

Outside hitter Audrie Gipple has led the Winfield-Mount Union attack with 133 kills and has also posted 15 serving aces, 110 digs and 12 blocked shots. Fellow senior Kailey Neil is emerging as an all-around force with 38 kills, 24 aces, 99 digs and nine blocks.

A strong core of other hitters like senior Lily Freeman and sophomores Quin Smith, Katie Miller and Kellee Milks has been great on the front row, combining for 154 kills and 59 blocks. They all lean on a pair of senior setters. In the back row, Aurey Meeker put up 22 kills, 15 aces and 115 digs to go with her team-high 185 assists. Up front, Jessi Renken has dished out 113 assists to go with 13 kills and 11 blocks.

The Wolves will be facing a West Burlington team that is 25-4 and is ranked 15th in the state in Class 2A. The Falcons didn’t drop a set in pool play Thursday and have won nine straight meetings with WMU. If Winfield-Mount Union can win, they would face either Wapello or Burlington Notre Dame in the semifinals and be guaranteed a top-four finish. The Wolves have first serve with West Burlington tonight at 5.