Ryan Murken

Your Prep Sports

NORTH LIBERTY – Nothing had to be said to Cassidy Hartman or Shelby Kimm leading up to the 2021 volleyball season.

The Liberty High junior duo already knew what was likely lying ahead for the Lightning after a 5A runner-up finish last fall.

Without so much as a discussion as a team Kimm and Hartman knew the success of last season would bring with it the pressure of expectation in 2021.

While the feeling around the program has changed everything else has stayed the same, including the goal of a state championship.

“It does feel a little different because in past years we were more the underdogs going in and this year we have a lot more pressure I feel like,” Hartman said. “That hasn’t changed our outlook, we are still going to work hard and continue to do what we’ve done the last two years.”

Liberty High has moved swiftly in its ascension toward the top of Class 5A.

In three short seasons the Lightning have gone from the first winning season (19-15) in program history in 2018 to a state tournament appearance in 2019 before last year’s 5A runner-up finish.

With six starters returning led by all-staters Hartman and Kimm the expectation is for the Lightning to take yet another step forward this fall.

The only remaining step after falling to Ankeny in the 5A title match last season is the big one.

“I feel like we definitely have a target on our backs but we’ve been working hard and I think we have unfinished business from last year,” Kimm said. “We are just ready to get after it this season.”

The difference for the Lightning this season is the pressure that comes with sustained success.

Liberty High discussed handling that pressure a year ago and did so with flying colors going 24-3, downing perennial powers West Des Moines Valley and West Des Moines Dowling to reach the 5A title game.

“Last year after making it to the state tournament for the first time I think there was a sense of a little bit of pressure and last year we talked about how pressure is a privilege,” first-year Liberty High head coach Allie Kelley said. “You feel that pressure because you have done something great and people recognize that greatness and so after last year obviously the pressure has heightened a little bit.”

Dealing with that pressure this season will be the key for a Liberty High team that brings back its top three hitters in Hartman (339 kills), Kimm (194 kills) and senior Sam Harvey (130 kills) along with sophomore setter Mariah Rollins (295 assists).

Liberty High will be tested by a loaded early season schedule in which the Lightning are now the focus of many opposing teams.

“If I had the other shoe on I would be circling us on the schedule,” Liberty High co-head coach Randy Dolson said. “That said you have to think of it as an opportunity every time.”

Liberty High may have arrived on the state scene a year ago but the Lightning aren’t resting on past success.

The first two state tournament wins in program history provided a confidence boost heading into this season but the state title loss to Ankeny still stung.

“We still have that underdog mentality where we are going to treat every team like they are the best team that we are going to play,” Hartman said. “We know we have to go out and work hard for every game. No game is guaranteed for us.”

An elite all-state pick last season Hartman leads a talented list of returning starters that includes classmate and fellow all-state pick Kimm who will move to outside hitter this season.

Together the duo gives the Lightning one of the best one-two combinations in the state.

“It’s fun to see their transformation number one as players because they are still getting bigger, stronger, faster and all of their skills are sharpening and their volleyball IQ as well,” Kelley said of Kimm and Hartman. “They are able to hit different shots and mix it up a little bit and then leadership wise they are really stepping up and taking bigger roles there. So it’s really fun to watch them grow.”

There is plenty of talent around Kimm and Hartman led by Rollins, Harvey and junior Lilah VanScoyoc (71 kills) and Gabbie Schroeder (174 digs).

There are holes to fill, namely the departure of departed seniors Hailey Hested at setter and Addie Schmierer at libero as well as last year’s leading blocker Lauren Roman in the middle.

Dolson is also looking for leaders to emerge after the loss of varsity veterans like Hested and Schmierer.

“We lost Lauren Roman and Shelby is moving to the outside because we want her to play six rotations so we actually have two new middles and that setter spot and we had a four-year libero and that’s a huge spot,” Dolson said. “Hailey and Addie were our captains for two years and we are diving into that leadership a little bit and we are looking for some leadership. We know we have some leaders but it’s not easy jumping into that role.”

Still the goal is simple – to continue to improve.

If Liberty High is to improve its finish at state from last season they know where they would end the season.

“I think being at state last year everyone is ready for that experience this season,” Kimm said. “We have that experience now, we are definitely ready for the feeling of being at state and we are ready to get back and win that final match.”

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