Volleyball Capsules: Taking a Quick Look at Your Prep Sports Area Volleyball Teams
Ryan Murken
Your Prep Sports
City High
Coach: Carolyn Giese (3rd season, 40-23)
Assistant coaches: Stacie Smith
Last season: 17-13
Returning starters: Hattie Galloway, Jr., M; Kaitlin Loria, Jr., OH; Hazel Schluckebier, Soph., S; Jessie Kucera, Sr., DS; Molly Carlson, Sr., DS
Other returning letterwinners: Maeve Obermueller, Jr., OH; Halle Larew, Sr., M; Rainie Pfohl, Jr., M; Lizzie Nolte, Jr., RS
Newcomers to watch: Amelia Mendoza, Soph., S; Kylie Hoskins, Sr., DS
Headliner: Junior Hattie Galloway is already a two-year starter that is coming off the best season of her career last fall when the 6-foot Galloway led the Little Hawks in blocks (65) and hitting efficiency (.342) while ranking second on the team with 190 kills.
Keep an eye on: Junior Kaitlin Loria made a big jump last season going from 63 kills as a freshman to a team-leading 195 kills on .212 hitting last season. Look for the 5-foot-10 Loria to continue to climb this fall after earning second team Mississippi Valley Conference all-division honors last season.
Ready for a breakthrough: Sophomore setter Hazel Schluckebier got her feet wet at the varsity level last season leading the Little Hawks with 572 assists as a first-year starter. Look for a more comfortable, more experienced Schluckebier to have a huge season this fall after posting 60 kills, 157 digs, 29 blocks and 27 ace serves as a freshman.
Circle the date: October 2 against West High. The Battle for the Spike returns to City High after West High won a 3-2 thriller last season. The teams have split the last six best of five meetings with City High sweeping West High in the 2023 Battle for the Spike at City High.
Breakdown: With five starters returning from last year’s 17-13 squad that advanced to the regional title team the expectation is for City High to take a big step forward in 2025.
The list of returning starters starts with Schluckebier who is back to lead the City High attack with a year of experience under her belt.
At the top of returners list along with Schluckebier is two major weapons for the sophomore setter in Loria and Galloway who combined for 395 kills last season.
Seniors Jessi Kucera (109 digs) and Molly Carlson (77 digs) return with starting experience in the back row.
City High has all the elements in place for a strong season in the third year under head coach Carolyn Giese.
West High
Coach: Jaedynn Evans (1st season)
Assistant coaches: Kyra Ikeda; Katie Remmert; Paiton Becassis; Paiton Wallis
Last season: 13-18
Returning starters: Lila Eastvold, Jr., S; Sophia Austen, Jr., OH; Audrey Small, Soph., MH
Newcomers to watch: Cyan Blommer, Fr.; Josie Austen, Fr.; Taylor Otte, Soph.; Izzie McDonald, Soph.
Headliner: Junior Iowa State commit Sophia Austen has already emerged as one of the top players in the state and will be seeking to build on the momentum from a stellar sophomore season in which the 6-foot-1 Austen led West High in kills (306) and digs (235) and ranked second on the team in blocks (30) and hitting efficiency (.223).
Keep an eye on: Junior setter Lila Eastvold excelled in her first season leading the West High attack last fall and the 5-foot-10 Eastvold expects to be even better this season after racking up 583 assists, 164 digs and 37 kills last season.
Ready for a breakthrough: Look for a huge season from 6-foot-4 sophomore Audrey Small who flashed the potential to be a big-time threat on both sides of the net during a freshman season in which she posted 100 kills and led the Trojans in hitting efficiency (.289), ace serves (42) and blocks (81).
Circle the date: October 7 against Liberty High. West High wraps up Mississippi Valley Conference play by hosting rival Liberty High. The Lightning have won the last 6 meetings including a three-set sweep last year at Liberty and are 7-1 all time against West High.
Breakdown: West High made progress last season raising its win total from nine in 2023 to 13 a year ago.
The Trojans are seeking to take a major step forward this fall under first-year head coach and former Regina standout Jaedynn Evans.
Evans inherits a young but talented West High squad that returns three starters including two of its top three hitters from last season in Small and Austen.
Eastvold returns at setter after helping West High to a 13-18 record last season.
Sophomores Taylor Otte and Izzie McDonald are expected to step into the rotation for the Trojans along with freshmen Cyan Blommer and Josie Austen.
Otte started all 29 matches and had 158 kills last season as a freshman at Williamsburg and McDonald played in 24 matches for a Cedar Rapids Xavier team that went 28-5 and advanced to the Class 4A state tournament.
Clear Creek Amana
Coach: Jackie Clubb (12th season, 313-132)
Assistant coaches: Isabel Schminke; Natalie Fry; Jamie Stratton; Kailee Pfeiferling; Faith Henderson
Last season: 37-8 (Class 4A state quarterfinals)
Returning starters: Averie Lower, Sr., OH; Emily Henderson, Sr., S; Sariah Sherman, Sr., RS; Bailey Simpson, Jr., MH; Elizabeth Timmerman, Jr., OH; Kendall Ronnfeldt, Soph., DS; Julia Schlarbaum, Soph., OH
Other returning letterwinners: Bella Behrans, Soph., DS
Newcomers to watch: Haydin Wauters, Soph., MH; Delaney Vaske, Soph., RS
Headliner: Senior Averie Lower is as dynamic and productive hitter as there is in Class 4A and has posted three consecutive seasons with at least 220 kills, 300 digs and 30 blocks. The 6-foot Lower was a first team all-state selection last season after leading Clear Creek Amana with 410 kills on .246 hitting and adding a team-high 334 digs and 32 blocks.
Keep an eye on: Senior Emily Henderson has steadily earned a reputation as one of the top setters in the state and is coming off a stellar junior season in which she was named WAMAC West Division player of the year and third team all-state by the Iowa Girls Coaches Association. The 5-foot-8 Henderson ranked fourth in 4A with 928 assists and led the Clippers with 44 ace serves last season.
Ready for a breakthrough: Senior Sariah Sherman was steady last season ranking third on the team with 171 kills on .232 hitting and leading the Clippers with 79 blocks. Look for an even bigger season from Sherman this season with a full year of varsity experience to her credit.
Circle the date: September 13 at West High tournament. Clear Creek Amana should have a good idea where it stands after facing a field at the Live Like Line tournament that features 2024 state qualifiers Ankeny, Mid-Prairie, North Scott, Regina and Dubuque Wahlert as well as West High and Liberty High.
Breakdown: The Clippers have been among the most successful programs in the entire state over the past three seasons posting a 117-20 combined record and making three consecutive state tournament appearances.
What is missing for Clear Creek Amana is an elusive state title and the Clippers have the firepower to earn that first crown this season.
A list of seven returning starters includes a pair of all-staters in Lower and Henderson as well as all six of the Clippers top hitters from last season.
Junior Bailey Simpson (216 kills), Sherman (171 kills) and senior Elizabeth Timmerman (168 kills) all return after posting 150 kill seasons as does sophomore Julia Schlarbaum who had 94 kills last season as a freshman.
Sophomore Kendall Ronnfeldt returns with starting experience after racking up 178 digs a year ago.
Look for Clear Creek Amana to once again be in the Class 4A state title discussion when November rolls around.
Solon
Coach: Ruben Galvan (2nd season)
Assistant coaches: Sarah Ferin; Darby Hawtry; Krissa Klein
Last season: 28-14
Returning starters: Kiley Devery, Sr., OH; Jozie Lahr, Sr., MH; Kennedey Whitford, Sr., L; Cydney Jaster, Sr., S; Gable Knight, Sr., RH; Scarlett Ferin, Jr., S; Macy Fuller, Jr., DS
Newcomers to watch: Amelia Guinn, Fr., OH; Beckett Kruse, Soph., OH; Makinley Galvan, Fr., RH; Avery Kellan, Jr., MH
Headliner: Senior Jozie Lahr is a three-year starter that has helped Solon to a combined 50 wins over the past two seasons. Look for a big season from Lahr as the Spartans seek a breakthrough this fall. The 6-foot Lahr has 349 kills and 194 blocks the past two seasons after posting 147 kills and 75 blocks last season.
Keep an eye on: Senior Kennedey Whitford has been a stalwart in the Spartan back row throughout her career leading the team in digs each of the past three seasons. A South Dakota State recruit, Whitford has racked up 1,100 digs in her career after collecting 418 digs to go with 26 ace serves last season.
Ready for a breakthrough: Senior Kiley Devery was good last season in her first year in the Spartan lineup ranking third on the team in kills (186) and blocks (61). Look for a huge season from the 6-foot-2 Devery this fall who has all the tools to be one of the most productive hitters in Class 3A.
Circle the date: September 9 against Mount Vernon. Solon hosts the defending 3A champion Mustangs in a WAMAC East Division contest and its conference home opener. The Mustangs have won 10 straight over Solon, a streak that dates back to 2018.
Breakdown: Expectations are high for Solon in year two under head coach Ruben Galvan after the Spartans posted their highest win total in a decade last season.
Solon went 28-14 last season, the most wins for the Spartans since their last state tournament appearance in 2014, but had the season end with a loss in the regional semifinals.
With seven players with starting experience returning the Spartans have their sights set on a much deeper postseason run this fall.
Experienced seniors Devery, Lahr and Whitford headline the list of returners that also includes setters Cydney Jaster and Scarlett Ferin.
Jaster (431 assists) and Ferin (166 assists) combined for 597 assists last season and should both take a step forward this fall and junior Macy Fuller returns after ranking second on the team with 188 digs a year ago.
Solon must replace three of its top four hitters from last season but senior Gable Knight (68 kills) returns along with Devery and Lahr and there is a list of newcomers that should make contributions led by 6-foot-2 freshman Amelia Guinn.
Junior Avery Kellen, sophomore Beckett Kruse and freshman Makinley Galvan could all see action.
Regina
Coach: Lauren Hansen (4th season, 69-37)
Assistant coaches: Colby Greene; Hunter Sade; Caitlyn Smith; Emma Willenborg
Last season: 24-15 (Class 2A state quarterfinals)
Returning starters: Reese Naeve, Sr., OH; Addison Bollier, Jr., L; Nora Wilhelm, Jr., S; Ruby Greving, Sr., OH; Adalee Klein, Jr., MB
Other returning letterwinners: Leah Sickels, Jr., MB; Ella Kuene, Sr., MB; Lily Nibaur, Jr., DS
Newcomers to watch: Kylie Mattoon, Jr., DS; Claire Lacina, Soph., OP; Jada Wiltz, Fr., OH
Headliner: Senior Reese Naeve is among the best players in the state and is coming off the best season of her career when the Iowa State recruit hammered a state-leading 753 kills on .320 hitting to go with 343 digs and 34 ace serves.
Keep an eye on: Junior Addison Bollier has quickly emerged as one of the state’s top back row players after collecting over 1,000 digs in her first two varsity seasons. Bollier ranked second in the state with 683 digs and added 37 ace serves.
Ready for a breakthrough: Junior setter Nora Wilhelm. In her first season directing the Regal attack last season Wilhelm was excellent handing out 957 assists and adding 142 digs. With a year of experience and many of her top hitting options returning look for an even better season from Wilhelm this fall.
Circle the date: October 7 at Mid-Prairie. The final River Valley Conference match of the season for the Regals should be a good one as Regina travels to Wellman to take on defending South Division champion and 3A state qualifier from a season ago Mid-Prairie.
Breakdown: Regina got over the hump last season with its first state tournament appearance since 2017.
With five starters returning including the state kills leader in Naeve, an elite libero in Bollier and returning setter in Wilhelm the expectations are even higher this season for the Regals.
Regina lost its second leading hitter Caitlin Martin (257 kills) to graduation but returns several other players with starting experience.
Seniors Ruby Greving (49 kills, 32 blocks) and Ella Keune (28 kills) both return along with junior Adalee Klein who had 33 kills and a team-high 43 blocks last season.
Juniors Leah Sickels and Lily Nibaur could both be in for expanded roles this season after playing most as reserves last season.
Regina has the talent to make a return to state and will be a team to watch in the Clas 2A field all season.
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