Season Preview: MVC Teams, Players to Watch Part II

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mississippi Valley Conference has produced two of the last five state champions in Class 5A, equaling the count from the Central Iowa Metro League. Pleasant Valley of the Mississippi Athletic Conference claimed the other crown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All that is to say, keep an eye on the MVC when looking for a potential champ. The conference is home to programs capable of making noise in 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's take a closer look at half of the the league in Part II of our season preview:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cedar Rapids Xavier</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Outlook: </strong>The Saints are chasing their ninth consecutive state tournament berth and their second championship in the last three seasons. With that type of track record, it'd be foolish to bet against them. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 4A first-team all-stater [player_tooltip player_id='215392' first='Libby' last='Fandel'], a Kansas basketball commitment, stands out most for her swing from the pin, but she contributes all around the floor. [player_tooltip player_id='215386' first='Carley' last='Jonker'] and [player_tooltip player_id='215391' first='Taylor' last='Rexroth'] are proven six-rotation contributors, and [player_tooltip player_id='215394' first='Carissa' last='Timmerman'] locks down the back row. Ava VanBerkum, Amelia Miller and Kaitlin Rollinger are seniors with varsity experience working to take on bigger roles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Saints will compete well with the other top MVC teams and should be among the better 4A squads across the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dubuque Wahlert</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Outlook:</strong> The Golden Eagles look to reach Coralville for a second year in a row after making state for the first time since '18 last season. The roster of returnees and newcomers looks very capable of making it happen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kills-leader [player_tooltip player_id='215405' first='Audrey' last='Tschiggfrie'] returns as does [player_tooltip player_id='538938' first='Anna' last='Roling'], who had the second most. [player_tooltip player_id='437486' first='Olivia' last='Donovan'] is one of the state's most underrated setters. Kaylee Walter is outstanding in the back row. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Claire Lueken has a solid year of starting under her belt and could provide more production in '24. Brielle Berning and  Maddie Mohr are proven varsity contributors also seeking more action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dubuque Senior </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Outlook: </strong>The Rams almost pulled off a memorable upset in last year's regional finals. They lost a five-setter at perennial power Pleasant Valley. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taking another step forward this season will require replacing key players lost to graduation. Fortunately for Senior, the foundation of returnees is strong. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It starts with all-district performer [player_tooltip player_id='389066' first='Cambel' last='Drapeau'], a two-way middle capable of taking over a match. Lexie LeConte also returns as a two-way presence at the net, and Nora Nagelmaker is a returning starter at setter, splitting those duties a year ago. Bailey Davis and Ella Foley desire a bigger roles after contributing in the rotation during '23.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cedar Rapids Prairie</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Outlook:</strong> Prairie's '23 season ended with a four-set loss at Dubuque Senior in the regional semifinals. It was a disappointing end for a program that registered some impressive victories along the way. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If they can find consistency, which is a key for any team, the Prairie Hawks can ascend this fall. An experienced roster is led by Wichita State commitment [player_tooltip player_id='215742' first='Carly' last='Wazac'], a two-way net force with the ability to greatly impact the proceedings. [player_tooltip player_id='221340' first='Taylor' last='Ray'] is a steady two-year starter at setter, and [player_tooltip player_id='447581' first='Grace' last='Knock'] is a proven back-row presence. [player_tooltip player_id='493983' first='Heather' last='Hingst'] is back with high expectations after starting as a freshman last year, and Johanna Caspers, Chloe Bishop and Ella Hackbarth bring varsity experience to the operation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cedar Rapids Kennedy</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Outlook: </strong>Injuries and inconsistency hampered the Cougars in '23, but they bring back key players for an outfit capable of climbing the standings this season. [player_tooltip player_id='215388' first='Adalyn' last='Hermanson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='215393' first='Jenna' last='Younge'] lead the group. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hermanson missed about half of last year with an injury, but came back with a strong club season as a six-rotation stalwart. Younge stood out as a versatile two-way middle during the team's struggles a year ago and should be better for it after another club season, and the same can be said for Maren Diederich at setter. [player_tooltip player_id='555707' first='Skyylan' last='Ousley'] started as a freshman in '23, and her classmate, Charley Lovell, showed potential. Maggie Goldberg, Cara Crock and Julia Thorne saw varsity time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Iowa City High</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Outlook:</strong> The Little Hawks took a step forward last season with 23 victories, six more than the year before. It ended with a regional final loss at West Des Moines Valley. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>City High will replacing its leaders in kills and assists, but top digger, [player_tooltip player_id='215434' first='Emmy' last='McComas'], is back. One of the better six-rotation players in the MVC, the senior also ranked second in kills and fourth in blocks last year. [player_tooltip player_id='493658' first='Hattie' last='Galloway'] finished first in blocks and third in kills as a freshman in '23, while [player_tooltip player_id='498250' first='Jessi' last='Kucera'] posted the fourth most digs. Lila Howe, Halle Larew and Kaitlin Loria started 57 matches between them last season. Georgia Sieben and McKenzie Brown gained varsity reps last fall. Setter [player_tooltip player_id='531752' first='Hazel' last='Schluckebier'] showed during club play this summer that she could help as a freshman this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Iowa City West</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Outlook: </strong>The Trojans will bring in a new coach in hopes of climbing the conference ladder once again. The first step will be getting to .500 for the first time since '17. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>West has a rock-solid building block in one of the state's top sophomores, [player_tooltip player_id='360642' first='Sophia' last='Austen']. If her club season was any indication, she could be worth more wins herself this year. Elle Barnett is a proven setter with sound back-row defense. Ava Bruxvoort is a returning starter at the net, and Sophie Bodin and Gianna Liu started 17 and 14 matches, respectively, last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepdig.com/2024/07/season-preview-mvc-teams-players-to-watch-part-i/">MVC SEASON PREVIEW PART I</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->