Seniors show their skill at SE Iowa All-Star Classic

MEDIAPOLIS - There was an abundance of talent at Mediapolis High School on Saturday night. The home of the Bulldogs and Bullettes hosted the 2020 Southeast Iowa All-Star Game, which featured some of the absolute best players in Southeast Iowa.

The annual All-Star Game went down to the wire, as the 'Pink Team” nipped the 'Black team” in five sets, winning 25-13, 25-20, 21-25, 20-25, 15-12.

'It was definitely fun to get to play with some different girls, and some of the best in Southeast Iowa,” said Mt. Pleasant's Karsyn Lamm, who played on the Black team. 'There were definitely some girls that I liked having on my team, instead of playing against them.”

Although the game was played in a fun, loose setting, the night included some great volleys, and not surprising with a lineup of stars on both squads.

Local players were able to play alongside girls they had never played with before, and some they have never been able to play against. Winfield-Mt. Union, New London and WACO all had at least one player on both teams, which made for some extra fun.

'I thought it was fun,” said WACO's Morgan Graber, who played on the Black Team, while fellow Warriors Aubri Garnsey represented the Pink. 'Every time someone else would score, we would just look at each other and laugh. It was different to be against her, but it was fun.”

Winfield-Mt. Union had four players in the game, two on each side. Jenna Buffington and Kayla Edwards represented the Black Team, while Kyndal Townsley and Jami Wilkerson played for the pink.

'It was something good to end on,” said Wilkerson. 'I'm proud to be here, and I wanted to play with Jenna, Kyndal and Kayla one more time.”

Three New London players were in the game, just days after playing in the Class 1A state tournament. Kyra Linkin and Sofie Reighard played on the Black Team, and Marah Hartrick represented the Pink Team. Also playing from the Union coverage area were Van Buren County's Isabel Manning, who played for the Black team.

Along with the Union coverage area players, the game included many familiar names from the Southeast Iowa Super Conference, as well as the Southeast Conference, including Keokuk's Miracle Ailes and Holy Trinity's Claire Pothitakis on the Pink Team, as well as Central Lee's Mya Merschman and West Burlington's Sydney Marlow on the Black Team.

'I really wanted to play with Sydney,” said Wilkerson. 'I didn't want to be on the other side of the net from her, so I was excited about that.”

The Senior All-Star Game marked the end of volleyball in Southeast Iowa for the 2020 season.