Central Iowa Metro League '23 Season Preview

While the official start of the Iowa high school volleyball season hasn't arrived, teams around the state are already preparing for it. A new campaign is coming into focus as we hit mid-July.   In preparing for a new season, it's good to look back. While we're sure to witness breakout performances from individuals and teams within our borders, plenty of familiar faces return.   I considered different ways to go about this process, landing on organization of evaluations by conference. Beating programs within close proximity of you has never gone out of style.   Let's start with the CIML, which has changed in recent years but still boasts a talented collection of programs. The league will be looking to regain the 5A title for the first time since Ankeny won it in '20. Ankeny Centennial is searching for its first championship since claiming four of five first-place finishes between '14-'18.   Six of the eight teams at last fall's state championship tournament in Coralville hailed from the CIML. The title match came down to champion Iowa City Liberty against then defending state champion, Pleasant Valley, however.   This league's members will be highly motivated this season to bring the crown back to the 515 in '23:   Defending Champs   Ankeny pulled off an impressive feat last fall. The Hawks posted a 10-1 conference mark en route to a first-place finish. Unfortunately for them, the season ended with a first-round exit at the state tournament as the No. 2 seed.   Expect them to be back in the mix for a title in '23. Returning are the top two leaders in kills in seniors [player_tooltip player_id='168153' first='Aowyn' last='Schrader'] (320) and [player_tooltip player_id='168190' first='Tanith' last='Roush'] (287). That duo also combined for 101.0 blocks. They will, however, be replacing two standouts in Jessa Wallace (987 assists) and Sydney Otto (402 digs).   Senior Ava Wille (133 kills, 94.0 blocks) teams with Schrader and Roush in a formidable front row. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='207016' first='Baileigh' last='Carlsen'] returns after racking up 187 digs in '22. Ankeny historically boasts a strong pipeline of players coming up through the system as well.   In-City Challenger   Ankeny Centennial's '22 season ended with a four-set loss to Liberty in the state semifinals following a rewarding swin against fourth-seeded West Des Moines Dowling Catholic in the quarterfinals. The Jaguars also recorded some impressive wins during the year, including victories against fellow state qualifiers West Des Moines Valley (twice) and Dowling Catholic (again), Waukee Northwest (twice) and Urbandale.   Centennial returns its top two players from last season in ICGA second-team all-state pick Jaden Pratt (216 kills, 97.0 blocks) and all-district selection [player_tooltip player_id='215749' first='Delaney' last='Miller'] (270 kills, 33.0 blocks, 121 digs), both juniors. Senior Anna Sash comes back as another solid two-way player following a '22 that saw her produce 148 kills and 79.0 blocks.   Like their crosstown, the Jaguars must replace graduated stalwarts Reagan Angus (686 assists, 174 digs) and Delainey Winkel (208 kills, 177 digs, 29.0 blocks). And like their top foe, they usually have talent coming up through the program.   Postseason Push   West Des Moines Valley was the squad that upset second-seeded Ankeny in the first round of last year's state tournament. The Tigers meandered their way to a .500 record in the CIML before their postseason run that also included a five-set win at Johnston in for Region 6 Championship.   Valley returns a strong core. [player_tooltip player_id='261075' first='Kaelyn' last='Wieland'] is back after announcing her arrival in a big way last season. She'll look to build on freshman campaign that saw her lead the team in assists (491), rank second in digs (238), and third in kills (194) and blocks (34.0).   Finley McAndrew returns after a junior season where she ranked second on the squad in assists (440) while adding 134 kills, 207 digs and 19.0 blocks. Thia Raridon ('26) enters her sophomore year after contributing 131 kills and 18.0 blocks.   Early Success   Waukee Northwest reached the state tournament last fall in the school's second year of existence and finished in fourth-place in the league standings. It lost to finalist Pleasant Valley in the first round at state.   The Wolves could make another run at a Coralville trip this fall with four outstanding seniors leading the way. [player_tooltip player_id='251674' first='Chloe' last='Jones'] (253 kills in '22), [player_tooltip player_id='432373' first='Katrina' last='Pelds'] (235), [player_tooltip player_id='251675' first='Kamryn' last='Vogt'] (225) and [player_tooltip player_id='432374' first='Chloee' last='Hayes'] (203) provide a lot of firepower. Classmate Sadie Maas (159 blocks, 66.0 blocks) also will be a key piece.   Maroon Crew   Dowling Catholic, which finished second in the conference in '22, should be plenty motivated by losing to Centennial as the higher seed in the state tournament's first round. The Maroons should be equipped for a deep run.   Senior [player_tooltip player_id='168151' first='Kenzie' last='Dean'] (390 kills, 63.0 blocks in '22) is one of the state's top players. She's verbally committed to Kansas. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='215412' first='Ella' last='Rogers'] (637 assists) sets up everybody with precision. [player_tooltip player_id='389933' first='Ellie' last='Muller'] (117.0 blocks, 165 kills) is poised for a super sophomore season. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='168191' first='Ashley' last='Staun'] (133) could be ready for a bigger role.   Bounce Back   Johnston is capable of competing for it all after Valley denied it a second consecutive state tournament appearance in '22. The Dragons bring back talented seniors [player_tooltip player_id='168187' first='Ava' last='Helming'] (346 kills), [player_tooltip player_id='168188' first='Josie' last='Pundt'] (266), [player_tooltip player_id='168184' first='Maeve' last='Rehmann'] (173) and Jazmine Bell (117). Classmate [player_tooltip player_id='168186' first='Ella' last='Smithson'] (302 digs) returns to the back row.   Cinderella   Valley upsetting Johnston in earning a state tournament bid was big. Urbandale's five-set thriller at Cedar Falls in the regional championships was more surprising.   The J-Hawks always had a chance with Lily Dykstra (555 kills) leading the way. Prep Dig ranked the incoming Northern Iowa freshman as its top player in the state for the '23 Class.   Seniors Lainey Drown (450 assists in '22) and Tori Noah (366 digs) will need to raise the level of their games even more with Dykstra departed.   Upset Minded   Waukee and Southeast Polk will be looking to climb the standings. Sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='389061' first='Maggie' last='Craig'] (144 kills, 21.0 blocks in '22) and [player_tooltip player_id='389063' first='Alexa' last='Weber'] (106, 31.0) form a solid foundation for the former. The latter can lean on senior Ava Goldsberry (253 kills) with help from Leah Childs (90 kills, 130 digs).

While the official start of the Iowa high school volleyball season hasn't arrived, teams around the state are already preparing for it. A new campaign is coming into focus as we hit mid-July.