A look back across the Decades: Jenny Keister, Clinton

Dec. 24—Meet the Clinton girl capable of putting up as many volleyball kills as basketball points.

Jenny Keister, 1989 grad, was a pivotal piece for the River Queens in the success of both sports, and was rewarded for her excellence with an athletic ride to Wichita State University, an NCAA Division-I volleyball program.

It's not uncommon to see females succeed in both sports. Coaches can't teach height or raw athleticism and coordination — all of which she had. But Keister's abilities gave MAC foes headaches especially late in her career.

There was her 1988 senior volleyball season in which Davenport North and Clinton were ranked Nos. 1 and 2 in the state. The River Queens never quite got over the hump against their rivals, but it wasn't without glorious standout games — the likes of which clearly caught college attention.

Hard to ignore 17 kills, seven blocks in a win over North Scott. Or when she took down Bettendorf with eight blocks and six aces. There's her home tournament dominance where she cleaned up with all-tourney team and MVP honors leading all players with 29 kills.

And there was the time Clinton blazed through the 1988 Dubuque tournament in which Keister led all comers with 42 kills.

Her play earned her All-MAC and all-state honors. If the River Queens hadn't met their demise to North a game away from state, history might remember a deep Clinton run in the Iowa state tournament.

She continued in the college ranks where Keister was decorated academically and for a time held the single season Shocker record for most games played in a season and compiled 374 career kills.

Not to be outdone was her performances on the basketball court. Keister and teammate Maureen Roushar traded team highs for points, leading to opponents having to choose who to let loose.

Roushar who popped shots from the outside and when teams keyed on the perimeter, Keister lay in wait for low post points. She led the River Queens on numerous occasions in the 1988 playoffs: 16 points in a win over Tipton, 14 in another over Davenport West.

But late in the 1989 season, Keister was dogged with an injury that hindered Clinton late in the season.

The River Queens were defeated in the district finals, sorely missing Keister's familiar 12 points per game.

When it came to scoring points — in either sport — the late 1980s Clinton teams cherished Keister's output.