Volleyball Capsules: Taking a Quick Look at Your Prep Sports Area Volleyball Teams
Ryan Murken
Your Prep Sports
West High
Coach: Keeley Arnold
Assistant coaches: Paola Jaramillo, Olivia Mekies, Brigid Ryan, Jaxon Klosterman
Last season: 13-15
Returning starters: Emma Dunlap, Sr., S; Emma Stammeyer, Soph., S; Melae’ Lacy, Soph., OH; Katherine Kouba, Sr., L; Carmen Crabtree, Sr., MB/RS; Mayowa Dokun, Sr., MB
Other returning letterwinners: Sophia Deyak, Jr., MB; Raina Pfeifer, Sr., OH/RS; Alex Curtu, Sr., DS; Alaina Greenlee, Jr., DS
Newcomers to watch: Sydney Woods, Sr., OH
Headliner: Sophomore Melae’ Lacy will look to establish herself as one of the top players in the Mississippi Valley Conference following a debut season in which she led the Trojans with 174 kills while averaging 2.6 kills per set.
Keep an eye on: Senior Sydney Woods gives West High an established presence at the net after hammering a combined 355 kills during her freshman and sophomore seasons at Liberty High in 2018 and 2019.
Ready for a breakthrough: Senior Mayowa Dokun led West High with 36 blocks and was third on the team with 52 kills a season ago but with another year of experience under her belt should see those numbers soar.
Circle the date: West High hosts its own Caroline Found Volleyball Extravaganza on September 11 in the annual event the regular welcomes some of the state’s top teams.
Breakdown: If you are looking for a 5A program in the state on the cusp of a major breakthrough look no further than West High.
The Trojans surged late last season under then interim coach Keeley Arnold upsetting City High in the postseason before falling to eventual 5A runner-up Liberty High.
West High returns six starters from a year ago including its top three hitters, top two setters and back row stalwarts Katherine Kouba and Alaina Greenlee.
The addition for Woods opposite Lacy should provide a major boost outside while seniors Dokun and Carmen Crabtree (71 kills) return in the middle where junior Sophia Deyak could also provide a spark.
Senior Emma Dunlap and sophomore Emma Stammeyer are back at setter and Raina Pfeifer also returns.
City High
Coach: Tricia Carty (4th season)
Assistant coaches: Reagan Johnson, Kenzie Ribble, Mickey Hansche, Aleena Hobbs
Last season: 7-11
Returning starters: Makayla Ribble, Sr., S; Claire Ernst, Soph., OH; Ruby McDonough, Jr., MB; Mia DePrenger, Sr., DS; Sara Cassady, Sr., OH/RS
Other returning letterwinners: Morgan Turner, Sr., DS
Newcomers to watch: Lauren Koch, Jr., MB
Headliner: A four-year varsity contributor, senior Makayla Ribble has already amassed 1,220 career assists after ranking fourth in 5A with 9.7 assists per set a year ago. The 5-foot-7 Ribble is the Little Hawk leader and ranked second on the team with 180 dogs to go with 26 ace serves and 55 kills a year ago.
Keep an eye on: Claire Ernst made a splash last season as a freshman posting 136 kills on .249 hitting and ranking third on the team with 145 digs in her first varsity season. Those number should grow this season as Ernst makes a push to climb into one of the top players in the always stout Mississippi Valley Conference.
Ready for a breakthrough: 6-foot middle Ruby McDonough made an impact last season ranking third on the team with 62 kills and tying with Ribble for the team lead with 17 blocks. With a little more experience in her back pocket look for McDonough to make a big jump this season as Ernst and senior Sarah Cassady emerge on the outside.
Circle the date: September 30 vs. West High. City High has defeated West High in the Battle for the Spike each of the past two seasons but the Trojans had the last laugh a year ago snapping a five-match losing skid to the Little Hawks with a 3-1 win in the regional quarterfinals.
Breakdown: An uneven start-and-go season due to COVID resulted in an uncharacteristic seven-win season for City High last fall but don’t expect the Little Hawks to be down for long.
Led by its season setter Ribble City High returns five full-time starters including four of its top five hitters from a year ago.
Cassady (93 kills) should team with Ernst and McDonough to give the Little Hawks some pop at the net while senior Mia DePrenger (101 digs) returns with experience in the back row.
Senior Morgan Turner (133 digs) will provide more back row help while the Little Hawks could get an offensive lift from the emergence of 6-foot junior Lauren Koch.
Liberty High
Co-head coaches: Randy Dolson (4th) and Allie Kelly (1st)
Assistant coaches: Peggy Dolson, Madi Miller, Jeff Daugherty
Last season: 24-3 (Class 5A Runner-up)
Returning starters: Cassidy Hartman, Jr., OH; Shelby Kimm, Jr., OH/MB; Mariah Rollins, Soph., S; Sam Harvey, Sr., MB/OH; Lilah Vanscoyoc, Jr., OH; Gabbie Schroeder, Sr., DS/L
Other returning letterwinners: Carlie Schroeder, Sr., DS/L/S; Chante Hardaway, Sr., MB; Olivia Davenport, Sr., DS/L
Newcomers to watch: Asta Hildebrand, Fr., S/OH; Lauren Ramspott, Soph., MB/OH; Gracie Hennings, Soph., OH
Headliner: Junior hitter Cassidy Hartman solidified herself as one of the top players in the state as a sophomore earning elite all-state honors after leading the Lightning with 339 kills while hitting .360 and adding 223 digs and 34 ace serves and 32 blocks.
Keep an eye on: It would be easy for Shelby Kimm to be overshadowed by the success of her classmate Hartman but the junior hitter is simply too good to allow that to happen. Kimm had her own breakthrough season a year ago earning all-state honors after posting 194 kills and a team-high 55 blocks.
Ready for a breakthrough: Senior Gabbie Schroeder was third on the team with 174 digs a year ago but with the loss of libero Addie Schmierer to graduation Schroeder should be in for a bigger role and more production as a senior.
Circle the date: September 30 vs. West Des Moines Dowling.
Breakdown: Liberty High had its breakthrough a year ago advancing to the Class 5A title game in its second consecutive trip to the state tournament.
Now the Lightning are loaded up for another title run.
Liberty High returns its top three hitters from a year ago in Hartman, Kimm and senior Sam Harvey (130 kills) and has more than enough firepower to push for another trip to the title game.
Sophomore Mariah Rollins (295 assists) is back to run the offense after sharing setting duties with Haley Hested in the Lightning 6-2 attack a year ago while Schroeder and junior Lilah VanScoyoc (71 kills) both return with starting experience.
Liberty High has the depth to go with its top end talent as seniors Chante Hardaway (32 kills), Olivia Davenport (16 aces) and Carlie Schroeder all return after seeing limited action a year ago.
Clear Creek Amana
Coach: Jackie Clubb (8th season)
Assistant coaches: Rachel Berkland, Natalie Fry, Jamie Stratton, Molly Hastings, Rachel Hovde
Last season: 25-6
Returning starters: Calia Clubb, Sr, OH/RS; Morgan Etscheidt, Sr., RS; Meg Berkland, Soph., L; Bliss Beck, Soph., MB; Kenadi Wood, Soph., S/DS; Jaclyn Pitcher, Sr., S/RS
Newcomers to watch: Silvana Kabolo, Jr., M/RS
Headliner: An Illinois State recruit, senior Calia Clubb is among the top players in Class 4A and is coming off a junior season in which she led the Clippers in kills with 243, ranked second with 226 digs and third with 28 aces.
Keep an eye on: Sophomore Meg Berkland is coming off an impressive freshman season in which she led the Clippers with 305 digs and 40 ace serves on her way to earning honorable mention all-WAMAC West Division honors.
Ready for a breakthrough: Sophomore Bliss Beck flashed impressive potential a year ago ranking third on the team with 102 kills while hitting .253. With a year of high school experience the 6-foot-2 Beck should see those numbers climb this fall.
Circle the date: September 14 vs. Independence. The WAMAC West Division lead will likely be on the line when the two perennial West Division contenders meet in Tiffin with the winner earning an early boost in the conference race.
Breakdown: A successful 2020 season for Clear Creek Amana ended abruptly after COVID-19 protocols prevented the Clippers from making a postseason push.
With six starters back from last year’s squad that went 25-6 Clear Creek Amana is poised to make some noise in regionals this fall.
The long list of returning starters is led by Clubb, an all-stater that has led the Clippers in kills each of the past three seasons.
Senior Morgan Etscheidt (62 kills) returns along with Beck to bolster a Clipper attack directed by senior setter Jaclyn Pitcher (161 assists).
Berkland and fellow sophomore Kenadi Wood return with varsity experience and veteran coach Jackie Clubb expects a boost from incoming junior Silvana Kabolo.
Solon
Coach: Jeff Walker (2nd season)
Assistant coaches: Mikayla Long, Miranda LeJeune, Nathan Watson
Last season: 17-19
Returning starters: Camryn Keith, Sr., OH; Maddie Manifold, Sr., OH; Alexa Hupfeld, Sr., DS; Delaney Bombei, Jr., MH/OH; Kylee Flynn, Jr., S/DS; Sophia Hoeper, Jr., OH
Other returning letterwinners: Brynn Deike, Soph., S; Sophia Stahle, Jr., DS
Headliner: Senior hitter Maddie Manifold had a team-high 174 kills on .358 hitting last season on her way to earning honorable mention all-WAMAC East Division honors.
Keep an eye on: Junior Delaney Bombei is a multi-talented athlete capable of impacting the game in a variety of different ways. Last season Bombei ranked third on the team with 150 kills and led the Spartans with 77 blocks.
Ready for a breakthrough: Junior setter Kylee Flynn has seen plenty of varsity action the past two seasons and led the Spartans with 296 assists a year ago but should only improve as an upperclassman with multiple years of varsity experience under her belt.
Circle the date: September 7 vs. Mount Vernon.
Breakdown: Solon took major strides last season under first-year head coach Jeff Walker and will look to build on that success this fall with six starters returning.
The Spartans return four of their top five hitters from last season in Manifold, Bombei, senior Camryn Keith (150 kills) and junior Sophia Hoeper (61 kills).
Flynn has experience at setter and senior Alexa Hupfeld returns in the back row after leading the Spartans with 222 digs a year ago.
Sophomore Brynn Deike and junior Sophia Stahle saw limited action a year ago as underclassmen and could challenge for larger roles as Solon seeks a winning record.
West Branch
Coach: Trystin Luneckas (2nd season)
Assistant coaches: John Walsh, Maddie James
Last season: 20-13
Returning starters: Lexi Klinkkammer, Sr., OH; Delaynie Luneckas, Sr., MH; Iva Senio, Jr., OH; Sophia Kouba, Sr., DS/RS
Newcomers to watch: JaLynn Falco, Soph., DS/OH; Aly Klinkkammer, Soph., DS; Ava Finley, Jr., S.
Headliner: A force in the West Branch front row for four consecutive seasons senior Lexi Klinkkammer has ranked second on the team in kills each of the past three seasons following a junior season in which she had 191 kills, 138 digs and led the Bears with 44 ace serves while being named to the River Valley Conference South Division team.
Keep an eye on: An explosive and powerful athlete, junior Iva Senio emerged as a serious attacking threat a year ago leading West Branch with 195 kills while hitting .204.
Ready for a breakthrough: The breakthrough on the basketball court for the future Minnesota State hooper came last season and senior Delaynie Luneckas will be looking for a similar explosion on the volleyball court this year after ranking fourth on the team with 127 kills and adding 36 blocks a year ago.
Circle the date: September 21 at West Liberty. The first of two River Valley Conference rivalry matches this week comes in the form of a trip to West Liberty as the Bears attempt to snap a seven-match losing skid to the Comets.
Breakdown: West Branch went 20-13 and advanced to a 2A regional final in its first season under head coach Trystin Luneckas and the Bears bring back enough firepower to exceeded that success this season.
Three of the top four hitters return from last season in the form of Senio, Klinkkammer and Luneckas, a diverse offensive trio that ranks among the best in the River Valley Conference.
Senior Sophia Kouba saw action in the back row a year ago racking up 109 digs but the transition for the Bears comes at setter where junior Ava Finley replaces departed senior Nicki Henson.
Sophomore JaLynn Falco and Aly Klinkkammer are both expected to step in to provide depth and consistency in the back row.
Regina
Co-head coaches: Brandon Mills (2nd) and Tory Beaver (1st)
Assistant coaches: Emily Gahan, Hilary Wilken, Jason Wilken
Last season: 13-10
Returning starters: Sydney Wagner, Soph., MH/S; Lily Simpson, Sr., OH/MH; Hope Simpson, Sr., OH/MH; Alli Dillon, Sr., S/RS
Other returning letterwinners: Bella Schuessler, Sr., OH
Newcomers to watch: Peyton Naeve, Sr., S/RS; Emma Nibaur, Sr., OH
Headliner: Senior Lily Simpson is looking to go out with a big senior season after a solid junior campaign in which she ranked second on the team in both kills and blocks. The agile 5-foot-10 Simpson had 120 kills last season and added 26 blocks and 94 digs and should see all those numbers climb as a senior.
Keep an eye on: Senior Peyton Naeve should be a big boost for the Regals after sitting out last season after transferring from City High. Naeve is an excellent athlete with a strong knowledge of the game and will provide another piece of the puzzle for a rising Regina squad.
Ready for a breakthrough: Sydney Wagner got a taste of varsity action a year ago as a freshman but could be among the most improved players in the River Valley Conference this season. Wagner had 141 assists, 23 ace serves and 40 digs last season and will take on a much more prominent role with the Regal attack this season.
Circle the date: September 14 vs. West Branch. The Bears have won eight in a row in the series between the two conference rivals including a 3-0 victory last season in West Branch.
Breakdown: Regina posted its first winning season since 2017 last fall and with four starters returning should continue to build on that success this season.
The Regals lose their top hitter from a season ago with the graduation of Annie Gahan but return a talented nucleus led by seniors Lily and Hope Simpson (59 kills) and Alli Dillon (225 assists).
Lily Simpson has a chance to be a breakout offensive star while Hope Simpson led the Regals with 161 digs a year ago and Dillon is a multi-talented weapon that led the team in assists and ace serves.
Add in the return of senior Bella Schuessler and Wagner along with the addition of Naeve and senior Emma Nibaur and Regina could be one of the surprise teams in the RVC South.
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