Missouri River Conference Preview

This seven-team conference is a notoriously competitive Northwestern Iowa Conference. The conference stretches from Sioux City to Council Bluffs and houses some of Iowa’s top volleyball athletes. Bishop Heelan is a force to be reckoned with in the Missouri River Conference as 13 of the last 18 Conference Season Championships have gone to this Sioux City team. However, last year, Sergeant Bluff-Luton took the gold with a 6-0 conference record and secured the Missouri River Conference Tournament Championship as well, defeating Bishop Heelan in four sets. After graduating key players and bringing in new talent, here is a preview for the 2018 volleyball season for the Missouri River Conference.   Bishop Heelan This consistent state qualifier has a tradition for volleyball success. Ending last season as the conference runner-up’s, the Crusaders have a lot of experience returning, looking to avenge their conference and first-round state tournament losses to Sergeant Bluff-Luton. Emma LaFleur enters her senior season by establishing herself as a strong all-around player. Recording 512 assists, 49 digs, and 46 kills last season, LaFleur is consistently a stat leader for the Crusaders. Nicole Jacobson, an uncommitted outside, will be entering her senior season and has been a dominant force for the Crusaders. Tallying up 310 kills last season, Jacobson was named to Missouri River First Team All-Conference. Also returning is sophomore setter, Jordyn Knapp, with 358 career assists and Taylor Wilshire, sophomore defensive-specialist with 217 career digs.   Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln took third place in the conference last year with a 4-2 conference record. The Lynx, coached by Katie Darrington, finished the 2017 season with an overall 23-23 record. Abraham Lincoln doubled its win total from the 2016 season and came within a win of making it to the state tournament. AL is looking to improve even more this season. Elaina Bohnet, an uncommitted 2020 graduate, was the go-to hitter last season as a sophomore. With 345 career kills, the outside hitter will be a stat leader again this season.   Council Bluffs Thomas Jefferson Thomas Jefferson took sixth place in the conference last year with a 1-5 conference record. The Yellowjackets, coached by Bonnie Clinch, finished the 2017 season with an overall 20-19 record. Thomas Jefferson posted its first winning record in over a decade last season, and is looking to make history again this season. The Yellowjackets will have to start off strong with the first game of the 2018 season against last year’s champions, Sergeant Bluff-Luton. Graduating go-to hitter, Josephine Starner (USD thrower), the Yellowjackets will be looking for someone to take on her role for the 2018 season.   <a href="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/sergeantbluff.jpg"></a>Sergeant Bluff-Luton Sergeant Bluff-Luton made history last year by recording the program’s first ever state tournament win by taking down in-conference rival, Bishop Heelan, for the fourth time in the 2017 season. Sergeant Bluff also defeated Independence in the semi’s at state in a five-set battle and lost the Class 4A championship match to Wahlert. The Warriors, coached by Renee Winkel, will be the conference team to beat, returning many experienced faces from their most successful season as a program. Kenzie Foley, an uncommitted junior, racked up 218 kills and 301 digs last season, earning her a spot on the All-Conference First Team. The 2020 outside is a 6’0” six-rotation player for the Warriors and competed with Midwest Volleyball Power last spring, going 14-1 at the AAU National Tournament. Also a First-Team selection, Madison Harms will be entering her senior season this fall. The 6’2” MB is a key attacker for the Warriors, tallying 282 kills last season on top of 152 blocks. Harms, who played with Nebraska Elite this spring, will be taking her talents to the University of South Dakota next year.     Sioux City East Sioux City East took fifth place in the conference last year with a 2-4 conference record. The Raiders, coached by Tunisia May, finished the 2017 season with an overall 17-28 record. Sioux City East will start the 2018 season with a match-up against the conference runner-up’s, Bishop Heelan. Emma Harmelink will be entering her senior season with the Raiders. The uncommitted 5’11” MB had 232 kills and 108 blocks last season. Kirstin Sykes will also be entering her senior season. Sykes is a versatile all-around threat for the Raiders, coming in second on the team in both kills and digs with 228 kills and 229 digs last season. Also returning is sophomore setter, Chloe Kramer, with 768 career assists and junior libero, Josie Blake, with 373 digs last season.   Sioux City North Sioux City North took fourth place in the conference last year with a 3-3 conference record. The Stars, coached by Malina Ard, finished the 2017 season with an overall 19-23 record. North will start the 2018 season facing in-town rival, Sioux City West. Hailey Hoogers, senior setter/right side, had 456 assists last season and will be a stable force for the Stars. Doubling as both a go-to hitter and setter, she will provide valuable experience to the team this season. Kylee Eickholt, senior outside hitter, is a dominant six-rotation player, racking up 248 kills and 256 digs last season.   Sioux City West Ending the 2017 season at the bottom of the conference with a 0-6 record, the Wolverines are looking to bounce back this fall, returning familiar faces to pave the way to a successful 2018 season. Coached by Andrea DeRocher, Sioux City West ended last season with a 4-30 record. Jada DeRocher, senior setter/hitter, was both the assist and kill leader for the Wolverines last season, ending with 132 assists and 130 kills. Her knowledge and experience will lead Sioux City West for the 2018 season.   2017 Final Conference Standings Sergeant Bluff-Luton 6-0 / 42-4 Bishop Heelan 5-1 / 33-11 Abraham Lincoln 4-2 / 23-23 Sioux City North 3-3 / 19-23 Sioux City East 2-4 / 17-28 Thomas Jefferson 1-5 / 20-19 Sioux City West 0-6 / 4-30