Spartan seniors, Comet freshman corral all-tourney honors
CORALVILLE — The BCLUW and Grundy Center volleyball teams were represented following their classes’ respective state championship matches as a trio of local players were selected to all-tournament teams.
Grundy Center seniors Carlie Willis and Ellery Luhring and BCLUW freshman Olivia Peters were awarded medals as members of the seven-player all-tournament teams for their respective classes following Thursday’s finals at Xtream Arena in Coralville.
Willis and Luhring were key cogs in helping the Spartans return to state for the 12th time and school history, yet the first time in their stellar four-year careers. Willis and Luhring will graduate as the all-time leaders at their respective crafts — Willis in kills and Luhring in assists — and they each added a Class 2A all-tournament medal for their efforts in two matches at state.
Grundy Center won its quarterfinal contest over Kuemper Catholic in four sets before being swept by Hinton in the semifinals.
Luhring, a 5-foot-10 setter, accumulated 63 assists in two matches at state, adding 18 digs, eight blocks and eight kills in the Spartans’ 1-1 showing. Willis, a 6-foot outside hitter, pounded out 48 kills and swung at a .246 efficiency during state, adding 31 digs and three blocks.
BCLUW’s balanced attack was buoyed by its freshman standout. Peters, a 6-foot-1 outside hitter, compiled 40 kills and five blocks in helping the Comets reach the 1A semifinals in the program’s initial appearance at the season-ending state tournament. Peters served 22-for-25 and added 22 digs as BCLUW beat St. Ansgar in a thrilling five-set quarterfinal before falling in four sets to eventual champion Ankeny Christian Academy.
- PHOTO PROVIDED – Grundy Center seniors Ellery Luhring, left, and Carlie Willis pose together with their Class 2A all-tournament team medals after the state championship match Thursday in Coralville.
- PHOTO BY CJ EILERS/GRUNDY REGISTER – BCLUW freshman Olivia Peters, center, received her Class 1A all-tournament team medal after Thursday’s state volleyball championship match at Xtream Arena in Coralville.






