CLINTON, Iowa - Local high school volleyball talent aligned in Kehl Arena on Sunday for the Ashford University-hosted Champs Invitational Tournament featuring six teams from the surrounding area. The six-team pool included Maquoketa and Northeast High School while Sterling and Fulton each fielded two squads.

Thirteen total matches were played on Sunday, with each team needing to win two of three sets with 25 points in order to advance. The fifth-place battle between Fulton (B) and Sterling (B) was the only matchup to go three sets.

Sunday's edition was a preview of the collegiate version when Ashford plays host to eight teams (Clarke College, Mt. Mercy College, William Penn University, Graceland University, Robert Morris College, Indiana University-Northwest, Johnson & Wales University) this fall for the Saints Invitational Tournament on Oct. 2-3.

"It was great to see a good crowd out there supporting the local players," AU Head Coach Micah Cewe said. "They were treated to some great volleyball today. We hope to see all the schools back here next year and we truly appreciate them for making the effort to come out and compete."

Fulton's front line depth eventually wore down Maquoketa and the Steamers prevailed in straight sets, 25-13 and 25-14, in the championship match. Maquoketa downed top-seeded Northeast as the winner of Pool B (25-17, 25-15) and claimed additional wins over the "B" teams from Fulton and Sterling.

"I thought we did well and it was great to have to team together today," said Fulton Head Coach Stacy Germann. "We've been working on our setters' thinking, our hitters mixing up their shots a little bit more and trying to be smarter on the court."

"We communicated well out on the court and it was encouraging for us because want to make our goals of getting to state this year," added Fulton libero Kim Rogis.

After falling behind on the opening serve of the championship match, Fulton countered with a 6-1 rally that gave the Steamers momentum that carried to the end.

Fulton's path to the finals in Pool A included a first-round win over Maquoketa and respective defeats against both Sterling squads.

Click Here for a photo gallery of the Champs Invitational Tournament. (Click volleyball, follow 2009-10 link)

2009 Champs Invitational Tournament Results
Northeast def. Sterling (A) (25-20, 25-12)
Fulton (A) def. Maquoketa (25-17, 25-16)
Northeast def. Fulton (B) (25-23, 25-25)
Maquoketa def. Sterling (B) (25-13, 25-17)
Sterling (A) def. Fulton (B) (25-11, 25-13)
Fulton (A) def. Sterling (B) (25-15, 25-15)
Sterling (A) def. Sterling (B) (25-23, 25-22)
Maquoketa def. Fulton (B) (25-14, 25-12)
Fulton (A) def. Sterling (A) (25-13, 25-16)
Maquoketa def. Northeast (25-17, 25-15)
Fifth-Place Match - Sterling (B) def. Fulton (B) (23-25, 25-20, 15-5)
Third-Place Match - Sterling (A) def. Northeast (27-25, 25-10)
Championship Match - Fulton (A) def. Maquoketa (25-13, 25-14)