Top Athletes Leading The Way In Tradition Rich WaMac
The WaMaC consistently has programs that compete not only for state tournaments, but state titles in all sports. To finish in the top four of the conference is usually an indicator of success heading into regional and state level competitions. …
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Continue ReadingThe WaMaC consistently has programs that compete not only for state tournaments, but state titles in all sports. To finish in the top four of the conference is usually an indicator of success heading into regional and state level competitions. For volleyball, it is no different with the likes of West Delaware, Beckman, Mount Vernon, and Marion who were all playing in the state tournament a season ago. Who are the standouts and what teams will be competing for a conference championship as well as some hardware in Cedar Rapids?
Mount Vernon Returns Depth and a Target
Mount Vernon survived five set match and five set match all through regional and state tournament play to win the Class 3A state title in 2019. They return a loaded Senior class which includes big time pin hitter Lauren Schrock Lauren Schrock 6'2" | OH Mount Vernon | 2021 State IA as well as other attackers in Camryn Ellyson Camryn Ellyson MB Mount Vernon | 2021 State IA , Natalie Welch Natalie Welch 6'0" | RS Mount Vernon | 2021 State IA , and Madi Cranston. They also return top libero Jorie Randall Jorie Randall 5'7" | DS/L Mount Vernon | 2021 State IA and will welcome the addition of libero Sydney Dennis Sydney Dennis 5'5" | DS/L Mount Vernon | 2021 State IA who previously played at North Cedar. She will head to Iowa at the completion of her prep career as one of the top players in the Class of 2021. This team will have plenty of athletes, but also the target on their back likely being the number one team and returning state champion.
Marion, Beckman, and West Delaware Eye Return To State
All of these teams advanced to the final four of their respective classes and will look to make a return trip to CR. Despite key graduations, there are athletes returning who will definitely be stepping up. With Marion, All-State libero Trinity Zika Trinity Zika 5'4" | DS/L Marion | 2021 State IA is back as well as the setting and attacking duo of Elise Mehaffy Elise Mehaffy 5'8" | S Marion | 2022 State IA and 2023 standout, Avery Van Hook Avery Van Hook 5'9" | S Marion | 2023 State #134 Nation IA . Beckman has always been a contender and this season will rely heavily on Kiersten Schmitt Kiersten Schmitt 6'0" | OH Beckman | 2022 State #103 Nation IA who can set and swing, always creativing positive touches for her side. West Delaware will return Ava Hauser as the top attacker and scrappy libero, Ella Koloc Ella Koloc 5'4" | DS/L West Delaware | 2022 State IA , but will have to replace one of the top setters in the state in Macey Kleitsch Macey Kleitsch S West Delaware | 2020 State IA who will continue her volleyball career at NAIA powerhouse, Grand View.
Pollock and Clubb Power Clippers
Western Illinois recruit Hailey Pollock Hailey Pollock 6'2" | MB Clear Creek Amana | 2021 State IA and one of the top available Junior prospects Calia Clubb Calia Clubb 5'10" | RS Clear Creek-Amana | 2022 State #138 Nation IA will be teaming up to make a run with CCA. As Sophomores and Freshman, they fell one match short of the state tournament and last season, Pollock had her season cut short with a hand injury. Clubb is coming off a state basketball run as is Morgan Etscheidt who was a key contributor in both sports last year. This squad should be dangerous throughout the season.
Freshman To Watch
Williamsburg had a young roster in 2019, but will be returning plenty of experience led by Gracie Ehret Gracie Ehret 5'5" | S Williamsburg | 2021 State IA , the crafty lefty who can swing and set. They will also add one of the top liberos in the Class of 2024 with incoming Freshman, Meg Berkland who was selected to the USAV High Performance A2 squad along with Clubb of CCA. Berkland plays up on the Iowa Rockets 15R team where she connects extremely well with setter, Avery Van Hook Avery Van Hook 5'9" | S Marion | 2023 State #134 Nation IA of Marion. Keep an eye on the Raiders this upcoming 2020 season.
NOTE: Shortly after this article was published, we were notified that Meg Berkland will be playing for Clear Creek-Amana this coming fall.
Independence Making A Return
The Mustangs were a state tournament team with an extremely talent Senior class the 2018 season and will be returning plenty of defense and scoring for the 2020 season. Middle blocker Reese Martin will be back who can make a difference with her attacking and blocking as well as Grace Bohlken Grace Bohlken MB Independence | 2021 State IA who can do a little bit of everything on the court from scoring to passing. They will also return team leader in digs with Brooke Beatty.