Going from Class 1A volleyball in Iowa to the NCAA Division I level is a substantial jump.
Former Ankeny Christian Academy star Katie Quick is making it look easy.
The freshman setter has played in 13 of Drake’s first 14 matches with three starts. She had 13 assists and nine digs on Tuesday as the Bulldogs lost to Northern Iowa, 3-1, in their home opener at the Knapp Center.
“I think that it has been a pretty smooth transition,” said Quick, who led ACA to three state titles and was the Class 1A player of the year. “I feel like I was working really hard prior to coming to Drake so that I would be able to keep up at the high level, so I think that that has definitely helped me! I am grateful for the playing time that I have gotten, and I am happy in any role that will help the team have success! I love that I have gotten the opportunity to set, but ultimately whatever is best for the team is what I am happy to do!”
Drake is now 0-3 in the Missouri Valley Conference and 4-10 overall following Tuesday’s loss. The Bulldogs tried to rally against their in-state rival, but Northern Iowa held on for a 25-13, 25-20, 24-26, 25-19 victory before a crowd of 1,660 fans.
“I think the biggest takeaway for us on a positive side was we scrambled, and we worked really hard to try and keep ourselves relevant throughout the match even when we got down,” said Drake coach Darrin McBroom. “We found ways to win a lot of the long rallies and at times pushed UNI to wear them down a little bit. It’s tough coming home and starting with the top team in the Valley right away, but it’s a good test for us to know where we are at.”
Drake used 11 different players in the match. The Bulldogs are still trying to find their most effective lineup.
“The beginning of the season has been a little up and down, but we have shown moments of great success with some big wins, especially the win at Western Kentucky (on Aug. 30)!” Quick said. “We’ve done a lot of experimenting with different lineups, trying to find the right pieces to go on the court but I do think that we are getting closer to really gelling! I think that we are almost over that hump, and it is only uphill from here!”
Quick leads the team with 221 assists. She has also contributed nine aces and 91 digs.
Drake boasts a trio of hitters with more than 100 kills on the season–Macy Daufeldt (180), Kacia Brown (156) and Caroline Smith (102).
“I think that I have gotten to create some good connections with our hitters!” Quick said. “My connection with Kacia on the outside has been pretty good, and I’ve had a great connection with my fellow freshman, Caroline, on the right side! There has been many moments of great connections with all of my hitters.
“Now, it’s just a matter of putting all the pieces together in one game!” she added.
The Bulldogs will host another conference match against Murray State on Friday.
“For us, we just need to clean up some things and every night in the Valley is challenging,” McBroom said. “No night is easy, but if we get some things cleaned up, we can be in the hunt for a shot at a win on Friday night.”