Queen Bees honor Seniors - win MCC title

The Queen Bees said their public goodbyes to three seniors tonight, although they hope to keep the group together for at least a few more weeks as they begin their postseason journey next weekend. Although tonight's match did not go as smooth as planned, St. Ambrose defeated Mount Mercy 30-27, 28-30, 30-27, 30-28 to capture the Midwest Classic Conference title.

The match had an exciting finish, with Mount Mercy ahead 28-25 in game four, junior captain Emily Russell substituted back into the game and served out the final four points of the match.

Alexis Gustafson, the first senior honored tonight, is the daughter of Paul and Terri Reinartz. She came to St. Ambrose after two years at Des Moines Area Community College. Alexis, who prepped at United Township HS in East Moline, has been a two year starter at right-side hitter. She is currently averaging 2.0 kills per game and .87 blocks per game.

Coach Billingsley said, “Alexis is having a great season. She has improved her hitting as the season goes on and she has become much more confident in her setting abilities when the setter has to take the first ball and pass it up to her.”

Kelly Grimes, the daughter of Steve and Jan Grimes transfered to SAU after her freshman season at Truman State. The Bettendorf prep has been a three year starter on the right side for the Queen Bees. Grimes recorded her 1000th career kill on August 30th at the Augustana Tournament.

Kelly was the Midwest Classic Conference and NAIA Region VII Player of the Week(Oct 4). She is currently averaging 3.07 kills and .69 blocks per game. In 2005, Kelly was selected to the MCC First Team and NAIA Region VII First Team. She was on the 2004 MCC First Team. Kelly was an NAIA All-American Scholar-Athlete as a junior and should repeat as a senior.

Coach Billingsley said, “Kelly has been a big gun for us the last three seasons, consistently producing 3+ kills per game. We will definitely miss her offense and blocking when she graduates.”

Andrea Brooks, the daughter of Lou and Anita Brooks, has been a four year starter at outside hitter for the Queen Bees. The Davenport North prep has been a four year starter and a two year team captain.

Brooks recorded her 1000th career kill on September 23 at the SAU Fall Classic. Brooks is currently at 1948 digs and should pass 2000 career digs mark this weekend. Andrea has twice been the MCC Player of the week this year (Oct 25, Sep 27). She was an MCC All-Conference selection in 2005. Andrea was an NAIA All-American Scholar-Athlete as a junior and should repeat as a senior.

Coach Billingsley said, “Andrea has been such a big part of our program for the past four years, she will be hard to replace both offensively and on defense. It is so rare to have a four year starter, it makes me wonder how we got along before she got here.”

Click here for the box score.