Senior middle hitter Morgan Fincham helped the Ankeny Christian Academy volleyball team to a 40-5 record and a third consecutive Class 1A state championship this season. She had five kills, two aces, six digs and two blocks as the Eagles completed the threepeat with a sweep over BCLUW in the title match on Thursday at Xtream Arena in Coralville.
Fincham had four kills, two aces and two blocks in ACA’s victory over Don Bosco in Tuesday’s quarterfinals. She also had four kills and two blocks in the Eagles’ win over Riverside in Wednesday’s semifinals.
Fincham finished the season with 107 kills, 66 aces, 160 digs and 20 blocks.
Here is some inside info on Fincham:
Congratulations on winning another state title. Did you do anything special to celebrate afterwards?
Since we had won the tournament before, it had become a team tradition to celebrate at Steak ‘n Shake afterwards. So we went there one last time to celebrate this year‘s championship.
Coach Michele Quick told me that she felt like you had your best two matches on Wednesday and Thursday. Did you feel like those were the best performances of your career?
It was certainly one of the best back-to-back performances I have had in my career. My dad and I had a good conversation before Wednesday’s match, and coach Morgan (Crossman) prayed with me before each match which helped calm my nerves. Knowing it was our last set of matches, I wanted to make sure to really go for it and go out on a high note.
You are part of the core group of five seniors that all played huge roles in the team’s threepeat. Did you have any idea when you were a freshman or sophomore that this group would have this kind of success?
We’ve all played together since fourth grade and have had the opportunity to play against a lot of the top competition in the state. I knew we were going to be really good, but I never imagined going and winning state three times in a row.
The other four seniors were all named to the all-tournament team, and Katie Quick was selected the captain for the third year in a row. Has that made your job easier over the last few years to have some of the state’s best players on your side of the net?
Yes. It definitely helps to have amazing players like them as a part of the team.
ACA became only the ninth program in Iowa history to capture at least three consecutive crowns. How does it feel to have your school’s name etched in the record books forever?
It’s really exciting, and I’m just so glad the Lord gave us the opportunity to be a part of history!
I’m sure you would give coach Quick a lot of credit for building this dynasty. What makes her such a good coach?
Coach Quick is an amazing coach, and she cares so deeply for every single player. She is coaching us not only for volleyball but also for life. I have been so blessed to have her as my coach, and I know she will continue to do great things.
All five of your team’s losses came to state tournament teams, including two that went on to win championships–Pleasant Valley and Denver. How much did that help your squad to play some larger schools throughout the season?
I think that playing those bigger teams was really beneficial for us. Even losing to some of them helped us to find our weaknesses and how to play to the strengths that we had.
Do you feel like your team could have competed for the title in any class?
Yes, I think we could have. We had been playing bigger schools already and beating some, which showed that we could compete with them.
I assume that you’ll be playing basketball again this winter. Do you have high expectations for the team?
We have a smaller team for basketball this year so I don’t know what to expect right now, but I am super excited and think it’ll still be a really fun season.
What are your college plans, and are you going to play a sport?
I will be going to Faith Baptist Bible College here in Ankeny. Both of my parents work in the athletic department, and my brother plays basketball there. I have a lot of friends there, and I’m really excited for next year! I’ll be playing volleyball and basketball.
What are you going to study?
I have a few different options at the moment but am still undecided, possibly education or organizational leadership.