Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

TIFFIN – There was a lot that was going well for Clear Creek Amana during its history postseason run last season.

The Clippers had balanced hitting highlighted by standout Bliss Beck set up by impeccable passing led by all-state libero Meg Berkland.

Clear Creek Amana had strong serving, good coaching and steady leadership on its way to a Class 4A runner-up finish last season.

While it was a combination of doing all those things well that led to four consecutive postseason victories for Clear Creek Amana last season there was one variable that stood out most internally to the Clippers during their magical run to the state title game.

They simply didn’t want to stop playing together.

“The connection between them is something that this group really values and a big part of the success at the end of last season is they just wanted to keep playing together,” Clear Creek Amana coach Jackie Clubb said. “I know that sounds cheesy but that’s really what it was, they didn’t want it to end and they wanted to keep playing together and that’s their motivation this year. They love it, they love being around each other.”

The 2022 season is history.

A season that will go down as the most successful in Clear Creek Amana history with 34 wins and a 4A runner-up trophy.

Before the 2023 season can even get started the focus for the Clippers is the same as it was last season – keep playing together as long as possible.

“We like being around each other,” Berkland said. “We all get along so well and we have so many personalities on this team but it’s so fun to play with them we just want to play together as long as we can.”
The run to the state title game last season came as a bit of a surprise.

As the six seed at the state tournament the goal for the Clippers was to extend their season as long as possible.

Keep playing together.

That focus turned into back-to-back five-set winners over third seeded Marion and second-seeded North Scott before falling to top-seeded Cedar Rapids Xavier in the 4A title match.

Following that success Clear Creek Amana opens 2023 top-ranked in Class 4A and a favorite to return to the 4A title match.

Still the plan is the same, play together as long as possible.

“They are still carrying the excitement over and wanting to earn that state tournament run back again and we definitely have the focus and goal of wanting to be back there,” Clubb said. “We are ready to go and ready to get started.”

As soon as last season’s run ended Clear Creek Amana turned its attention to another run this season.

Expectations are higher but the Clippers are still keeping the same mindset, excited to have another shot at a title.

“We have a great group of seniors and we have all played athletics for a long time together and we get along so well with the underclassmen, they blended right in with us,” Beck said. “I think it’s just we are thankful we get to play together another year and its not over yet.”

The higher expectations certainly seem warranted.

Led by all-staters Beck and Berkland, seven of nine rotational players return for the Clippers this season.

A two-time WAMAC West Division player of the year and first-team all-state pick last season Beck is among the best in the state.

The Drake recruit had 399 kills on .411 hitting and led 4A with 153 blocks last season.

“It’s better vibes in the gym knowing what we can do now,” Beck said. “We still have lots of fun and it’s a great environment to be in but we have set the expectation higher this year and we are going to try to match that every day.”

A backrow wizard, Berkland is a four-year starter and ranked second in 4A with 540 digs last year.

“Since we’ve gotten to what was basically our goal we are just trying to exceed what we did last year,” Berkland said. “We have to try to exceed the expectation every day.”

Clear Creek Amana returns plenty more talent around Beck and Berkland.

The top four hitters from last season return as sophomore Averie Lower (222 kills) and seniors Sam Schrage (165 kills) and Addison Gisleson (158 kills) are all back.

Sophomore Emily Henderson (513 assists) and senior Kenadi Wood (436) return at setter.

“The experience is really helpful because we don’t get as a nervous and we know what to expect,” Schrage said. “Our team hasn’t changed much and that’s really nice because we know how to play with each other and how to pick each other up.”

Everything appears in place for Clear Creek Amana to have another special season capped by a second consecutive state tournament run.

The key this season will be the same as last year – keep playing together as long as possible.

“We just need to continue to play together and for each other,” Schrage said. “We need to make sure that we are all there for each other and continue to have fun. “

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