2023 Rivery Valley Conference 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/">MAC '23 Season Preview</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/2023/07/mvc-mississippi-division-23-season-preview/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MVC Mississippi Division Preview</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/2023/07/mvc-valley-division-23-season-preview/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MVC Valley Division Preview</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/2023/08/missouri-river-conference-23-season-preview/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Missouri River Season Preview</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/2023/08/wamac-2023-season-preview/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WaMac Season Preview</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/2023/08/2023-little-hawkeye-season-preview/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Little Hawkeye Season Preview</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/2023/08/2023-racoon-river-season-preview/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Racoon River Season Preview</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/2023/08/north-iowa-cedar-league-23-season-preview/">North Iowa Cedar League Preview</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/2023/08/2023-south-central-conference-preview/">South Central Conference Preview </a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepdig.com/2023/08/2023-bluegrass-conference-preview/">Bluegrass Conference Preview</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Believe it or not, the Iowa high school volleyball season tips off next week. It's shaping up to be another exciting fall around the state.</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 15-school River Valley Conference features two strong divisions with programs in each capable of reaching Coralville in October. It promises to be another competitive race to the championship in this league. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West Liberty finished unbeaten in conference play and won the RVC South Division postseason tournament before reaching the state tournament in Class 3A. It was the Comets third appearance at state in the last four seasons. They finished second in '21. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beckman Catholic also ran the table in conference competition, claiming the North Division regular-season and postseason tournament championships. The Trailblazers fell to Wapsie Valley in a 2A regional final. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hailing Comets</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West Liberty lost in the first round of the 3A state tournament to Sioux Center, which reached the title match in the class. It finished the campaign at 31-8 with wins against Clear Creek Amana, a 4A finalist, and Western Dubuque, which also reached the state tournament in 4A. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Comets graduated key pieces but also return plenty of talent, including juniors Sophie Buysse (313 kills, 325 digs in '22) and Ava Morrison (233 kills) along with senior [player_tooltip player_id='261084' first='Maelyn' last='Wainwright'] (246 kills, 31.0 blocks). Senior Rilee Han (130 kills, 26.0 blocks) also is back. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Blazing A Trail</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Beckman Catholic has reached the state tournament four times since '17. It split a pair of matches against West Liberty a year ago. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Trailblazers will be replacing their leaders in assists and kills following graduation losses. The cupboard is not bare, however. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='215404' first='Alli' last='Scherbring'] (159 kills, 63.0 blocks) and [player_tooltip player_id='215398' first='Alexie' last='Hogan'] (392 digs) are back as is senior Reese Osterhaus (129 kills, 223 digs, 30.0 blocks). Junior Nicole Goedken also could be ready for a bigger role in '23. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Golden Opportunity</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eventual 3A state champion Davenport Assumption topped Mid-Prairie in a regional final last fall. The Golden Hawks 27-12 picked up a regular-season win against Union, which reached the 3A state tournament. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mid-Prairie will be led by a pair of sophomores in '23. [player_tooltip player_id='215390' first='Jovi' last='Evans'] (307 assists, 202 kills, 346 digs, 22.0 blocks) and [player_tooltip player_id='389071' first='Harper' last='Pacha'] (173 kills, 142 digs, 25.0 blocks) should rank among the RVC's top players for the next three years. That duo along with juniors [player_tooltip player_id='215395' first='Dakota' last='Mitchell'] (630 digs), [player_tooltip player_id='730801' first='Callie' last='Huber'] (90 kills, 53.0 blocks) and Lanee Duwa (222 digs) make the Golden Hawks a threat to dethrone West Liberty in the South Division. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Panthers on Prowl </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like Mid-Prairie in the South, Monticello can push Beckman for supremacy in the North. Monticello is coming off a season when it split a pair of matches with their divisional rival. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior [player_tooltip player_id='447534' first='Jayden' last='Kuper'] (439 kills, 243 digs, 73.0 blocks) paces the Panthers after earning all-state honorable mention laurels a year ago. She's joined by seniors Lacie Koppes (123 kills, 23.0 blocks), Keziah McQuillen (116 kills, 273 digs) and Abby Sharlow (90 kills, 40.0 blocks) in making Monticello one to watch in '23. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Eager Beavers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wilton reached the 2A regional semifinals last fall, when it lost to Beckman. Its 23-11 season included a victory against 5A Southeast Polk. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Beavers boast a pair of standouts in junior [player_tooltip player_id='730830' first='Kinsey' last='Drake'] (227 kills, 301 digs) and senior Kaylee Coss (623 assists, 187 digs). Junior Kaydence Boorn (150 kills, 28.0 blocks) joins that duo in making Wilton a threat for the upcoming campaign. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Regal Roster</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Regina managed a 19-15 record in '22 employing a young lineup. It reached a 2A regional semifinal, where it lost to Wapsie Valley, which reached the state tournament. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Regals return 10 players that started at least 22 matches a year ago. They're led by dynamic sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='261094' first='Reese' last='Naeve'] (442 kills, 291 digs), one of the conference's top performers. Senior setter Sydney Wagner (870 assists, 213 digs) runs the show. Naeve and Wagner along with Laci Chambliss (348 digs) and Kiley Devery (166 kills, 80.0 blocks) give Regina high hopes this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cool Comets</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bellevue (19-8) logged a victory against 5A Davenport North in '22. It took Beckman to the limit in losing during the RVC North Division Tournament. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Comets will be replacing a lot of talent lost to graduation. Senior Teagan Humphrey (133 kills, 27.0 blocks) and junior Catherine Dunne (45.0 blocks) give them solid building blocks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>...Northeast brings talent to the table in juniors Emily Erwin, [player_tooltip player_id='447540' first='Clare' last='Mulholland'] and Leah Mangelsen...Anamosa welcomes back a strong core in [player_tooltip player_id='389069' first='Sophie' last='Sander'], [player_tooltip player_id='447490' first='Carlee' last='Webber'], [player_tooltip player_id='447536' first='Reise' last='Neuhaus'] and Savanna Venenga...West Branch also can claim a solid foundation with [player_tooltip player_id='168181' first='Alyse' last='Klinkkammer'], Madelynn Falco, [player_tooltip player_id='261080' first='Kylie' last='Pickett'] and Emily Coleman...Tipton could make a move up the South Division standings behind the returning quartet of Paycee Sorgenfrey, [player_tooltip player_id='730822' first='Kaylee' last='Pelzer'], Avary Calonder and Carly Langenberg...Kennedy Jehle returns for Durant after dishing out 445 assists in '22...Cascade is building around senior setter Claudia Noonan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->