MVC Mississippi Division ’23 Season Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/2023/07/central-iowa-metro-league-23-season-preview/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CIML '23 Season Preview</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/2023/07/mississippi-athletic-conference-23-season-preview/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MAC '23 Season Preview</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In getting ready 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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The MVC's Mississippi Division proved very challenging last season. Iowa City Liberty emerged from it to win its first-ever state championship. It represented the league's first 5A title since Cedar Falls took crowns in 2017 and '19. Cedar Rapids Xavier looks to defend its 4A championship from '22. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In '23, the division will be aiming repeat in the state's two biggest classes. The Mississippi boasts contenders again. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Give Me Liberty</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lightning enjoyed a magical run in '22. That senior class helped lay the program's foundation and led it to the state tournament in each of the last four seasons. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It will be difficult replacing standouts like Cassidy Hartman and Shelby Kimm. That said, Liberty returns high-end talent and adds a strong freshman class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The very versatile [player_tooltip player_id='215429' first='Asta' last='Hildebrand'] ranks as one of the state's top all-rotation players. She's coming off a sophomore season that saw her pile up 863 assists, 95 kills, 273 digs and 16.0 blocks. Juniors Gracie Hennings (56.0 blocks in '22) and Lauren Ramspott (84 digs) are stepping into bigger roles. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Saints Marching On</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cedar Rapids Xavier could secure a mini-dynasty with a state title in '23. It would be its third in four seasons. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>To accomplish that feat, the Saints will need unproven players to step up. They'll be replacing setter Anna Shoger (892 assists in '22), outside Maci Kadlec (240 kills) and middle Anika Ivester (82.0 blocks). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A solid foundation remains with all-around performer, [player_tooltip player_id='215392' first='Libby' last='Fandel'], returning after a sophomore campaign that saw her earn first-team all-state honors from the IGCA. Senior middle Ava Turner (164 kills, 64.0 blocks in '22) should be ready to take on more responsibility this fall. The same can be said for junior [player_tooltip player_id='215386' first='Carley' last='Jonker'] (28.0 blocks). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cat Tales</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No team in this division (or maybe the state) will be more motivated than Cedar Falls this season. The Tigers will be ignited by a five-set home loss to Urbandale in last year's 5A Region 7 final. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They'll be replacing IGCA first-team all-stater Katie Remmert but return junior [player_tooltip player_id='215408' first='Grace' last='Hannam'], an all-district selection as a sophomore in '22. Super setter [player_tooltip player_id='261058' first='Brynn' last='Bakula'] ('26) returns after dishing out an impressive 931 assists as a freshman last fall. She contributes all around the floor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Juniors Kya Bradfield (50.0 blocks, 145 kills in '22) and [player_tooltip player_id='393708' first='Lauren' last='Sandvold'] (210 digs) along with sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='389010' first='Annistyn' last='Wedgbury'] (290 digs) join Hannam and Bakula in making Cedar Falls a state-title contender. With two championships in the last six seasons, the Tigers usually are in the hunt. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Dubuque Wahlert came up a win short of the state tournament in '22. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='538938' first='Anna' last='Roling'] (203 kills in '22) and [player_tooltip player_id='437486' first='Olivia' last='Donovan'] (705 assists) help form a solid nucleus returning from that squad...Dubuque Senior brings back a top-flight setter in senior Jenna Lewis (725 assists). Her classmate, Brooke Sullivan, and junior Lexie LeConte can swing it...New Cedar Rapids Prairie coach Claude Howard takes over a program with strong players in seniors McKenna Murray and Ryann Decker, and juniors [player_tooltip player_id='221340' first='Taylor' last='Ray'] and [player_tooltip player_id='215742' first='Carly' last='Wazac']...Cedar Rapids Jefferson will need an influx of talent with senior Madi Mercil the only one back that saw significant rotation time last season...Cedar Rapids Washington will lean heavily on senior Breanna Franklin (159 kills, 124 digs). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->