Junior outside hitter Macey Nehring helped the top-ranked Ankeny Christian Academy volleyball team to a second consecutive state title last week at Xtream Arena in Coralville. She was named to the Class 1A all-tournament team.
Nehring pounded 47 kills in the tournament, 16 of them on Thursday in the Eagles’ sweep over No. 3 Holy Trinity Catholic in the Class 1A final. She had 19 kills in a win over Newell-Fonda in the quarterfinals on Tuesday and 12 more in the victory over No. 4 BCLUW in the semifinals on Wednesday.
Here is some inside info on Nehring:
Congratulations on winning another state title. How did your team celebrate this year?
We sang Doxology before every state game this year and last year as a little tradition. We blasted it on our speakers after we won this year. We sang it all the way from the arena to our vans.
Can you compare winning this championship to last year’s crown? Does it feel any different?
Last year’s win was a very different feel in a lot of different ways. Everything about winning the championship last year was surreal, especially being the underdogs from the start and just being happy to be at the state tournament in the first place. With that, the game in itself last year compared to this year was very different. A reverse sweep compared to a normal sweep winning this year felt different, especially with our confidence coming into this year.
Your team entered the season ranked No. 1 and was expected by most people to win the title. Did you enjoy having a target on your backs all season?
Everyone definitely projected us to win it all this season, seeing that we were the No. 1 seed, and knowing we were the best team in 1A. I think being the underdog gave us a little edge last year, but I also like the feeling of everyone knowing we’re the best team and we can get the job done.
How much did the experience of winning last year’s title help you at this year’s state tournament?
Having the experience from last year going into the state tournament this year was such a big help. It definitely helped with our nerves, because we had already been put in that position before with the same nerves. And the familiarity of everything was really nice too, especially seeing that we were the No. 1 seed and knowing we were the best team in 1A.
Your team’s only losses came early in the season to Denver and Grundy Center, two squads that eventually reached the Class 2A semifinals. What did your team learn from those losses?
It’s never bad to lose a game, because it’s always good to learn and see what you need to do to get better. Losing to Grundy Center and Denver taught us that we can play at the highest level, and stay point-by-point with any team. We beat Denver once and we almost beat Grundy Center, and we knew how good they were, so that showed us we could compete with anyone, especially any of the 1A teams.
Dike-New Hartford won the Class 2A crown and was considered by some people to be among the state’s best teams ever. Did you get a chance to watch them play at all, and how do you think your team would do against them?
We got to watch Dike some–they are a very solid team. It would be fun to play them. I think we could compete and put up a good fight.
Of course, Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial also qualified for the Class 5A tournament. Do you know many of the players on those teams, and if it’s possible, would you like an opportunity to play them next year?
I know a majority of the players on both Ankeny and Centennial, and I actually play with Delaney Miller and Reagan Hanfelt in the offseason. I think it would be a great opportunity if we’d be able to play both of those teams next year, and it would be good competition for us. I think it would make us a lot better.
I’m sure you take a lot of pride in being an effective hitter, despite being one of the shorter outside hitters at 5-foot-6. Have you played against very many opposing hitters who were shorter than you?
I usually do not see many hitters that are shorter than me, but I’ve learned not to be scared of any hitter just because they are taller than me.
You’re fortunate to play with Katie Quick, who is one of the state’s best setters and a Drake recruit. Does she make your job pretty easy?
Katie is a very good setter, and we are very lucky to have her on our team. She helps us play to the next level because of her great setting and fast pace. She always finds a way to set a perfect ball despite the pass, which makes it a lot easier for us hitters to be able to swing and find spots.
You finished the season with 110 ace serves, and along with Katie (150) and Carley Craighead (102), your team boasted the state’s top three servers in aces. Is that a coincidence, or does your team tend to serve more aggressively than your opponents?
Our team focuses a lot on serving and serve receive when it comes to practice. Coach (Michele) Quick always tells us to serve aggressive and be the aggressor when it comes to playing teams. We always tend to serve a lot more aggressive than our opponents.
Have you made any college plans? Would you like to play volleyball at the next level?
I haven’t made any college plans yet, but I would like to be able to play at the college level. I think it would be a great opportunity to improve my skills and abilities when it comes to volleyball.
