Missouri River Conference ’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/">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>Believe it or not, the Iowa high school volleyball season begins Monday with the official start of practice. Matches will be here in just weeks. </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>That's certainly the case in the Missouri River Conference. The group includes a Sioux City Bishop Heelan program with the fourth most state-tournament appearances (25) among all Iowa schools. The Crusaders claim three titles in their history.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sioux City North and Sergeant Bluff-Luton each has captured a crown. The eight league members have combined for 64 state tournament appearances overall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's looking like another competitive season in the MRC. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hacker &amp; Heelan</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Heelan heads into 2023 well-positioned for another conference crown. Crusader junior [player_tooltip player_id='217136' first='Maliyah' last='Hacker'] (6-1) ranks among the best players in the state, and she has help around her. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hacker racked up 316 kills, 267 digs and 48.0 blocks as a sophomore in last fall. Her classmate Maddie LaFleur produced 114 kills, 267 digs and 39.0 blocks during the campaign. Seniors Julie Verzal (76 kills, 15.0 blocks) and Alyssa Rehal (147 digs) contributed to last season's run to the state tournament in 4A. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like many of the state's consistently strong programs, Heelan reloads its lineup annually with players developed in the system. Junior Abby Lee could be among a group ready for a step forward in '23. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Building at North</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Optimism abounds at Sioux City North, where last season the Stars fell one step short of their first state tournament appearance since '04, losing 3-1 against Dowling in a regional final. They return key performers from that 22-win squad, including sophomore hitter [player_tooltip player_id='389834' first='Ava' last='Lloyd'] (229 kills, 237 digs, 28.0 blocks as ninth-grader).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seniors Stella Kuehl (394 assists, 142 digs), Sidney Chamberlain (192 kills, 266 digs, 31.0 blocks), Ariana Klein (69 kills, 28.0 blocks) and Ashlyn Strohbeen (183 kills, 100 digs, 22.0 blocks) want to make their last season a memorable one. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='389835' first='Kinslee' last='Walrod'] returns after gaining valuable experience last fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North doesn't return any players listed at 6-feet or above. Don't be fooled, however. This is a talented bunch capable of a run. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lynx on Prowl</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Like North, Council Bluffs Lincoln brings back a proven veteran core after reaching a regional final. Junior Hutson Rau is coming off of a campaign that saw her thrive with 236 kills, 269 digs and 39.0 blocks. She's supported by her classmates, Aubrey Sandbothe (145 kills, 316 digs, 30.0 blocks) and Lydia Dix (141, 47, 51.0), along with senior [player_tooltip player_id='168154' first='Molly' last='Romano'] (147, 222, 62.0). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>-Sioux City East fell in a five-set heartbreaker to Des Moines Roosevelt in a regional semifinal last year. Olivia Mentzer (246 kills, 236 digs and 25.0 blocks) and Mackenzie Crawford (159, 30, 79.0) stood out as juniors...Sioux City West also fell in a regional final last fall. Kiley Elgert handed out 268 assists as an 11th-grader...Aussie Obbink piled up 597 assists as a sophomore for Sergeant Bluff-Luton...Sarah Brown posted 385 digs in her junior year for LeMars.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->