Prep Dig Iowa Class 5A Preseason Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Expecting another entertaining season in Class 5A volleyball makes a whole lot of sense. The large-school race to the championship is regularly the most wide open in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That makes this exercise challenging. It also comes with a warning label - what we think right now will change before the final point is scored. Let's take a stab at preseason rankings for 5A. We'll think about 4A. No promises.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The plan is to update these rankings each Monday throughout the regular season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. Pleasant Valley: </strong>The Spartans are seeking their sixth consecutive trip to state, winning it all in '21 and finishing second the following season. That shouldn't be a problem if they play to their potential. It's a loaded roster led by Prep Dig's top-ranked player in '26, [player_tooltip player_id='243182' first='Isabelle' last='Kremer']. Missouri-Kansas City commit [player_tooltip player_id='508627' first='Stella' last='Smith'] is one of the state's top two-way players at the net, and [player_tooltip player_id='490015' first='Mazie' last='Sweers'] is one of the Iowa's best sophomores. Lauren Brohm, [player_tooltip player_id='261085' first='Maren' last='Ouellette'], [player_tooltip player_id='215760' first='Gabriella' last='Ragins'] and Abbie Staats are other key players on this deep roster. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 Finish -</strong> State Semifinalist </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. Dowling Catholic:</strong> The Maroons dropped a heartbreaking five-setter in last year's 5A Final in what was a wonderful season. They'll be replacing one of the state's top outsides in Kenzie Dean but a lot of firepower returns on Buffalo Road. [player_tooltip player_id='189864' first='Annalise' last='Grant'] (libero), [player_tooltip player_id='215412' first='Ella' last='Rogers'] (setter) and [player_tooltip player_id='389933' first='Ellie' last='Muller'] (middle) rank among the top players in the state at their respective positions. [player_tooltip player_id='215724' first='Siri' last='Beecher'], [player_tooltip player_id='215427' first='Ava' last='Groeteke'] and [player_tooltip player_id='215728' first='Kate' last='Nelson'] are all effective two-way net performers, and [player_tooltip player_id='168191' first='Ashley' last='Staun'] and Maddie Chapman are reliable defensive specialists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 Finish - </strong>State Finalist</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. Ankeny:</strong> The Hawks' season ended with a five-set loss against Centennial in last year's state quarters. They dropped some close matches throughout '23, but have the talent to flip the script this fall. Iowa State commit [player_tooltip player_id='215465' first='Reagan' last='Hanfelt'] is a top middle, and [player_tooltip player_id='204525' first='Kamryn' last='Scheib'] does damage from the pin. [player_tooltip player_id='207016' first='Baileigh' last='Carlsen'], an Auburn commit, is coming off a 500-dig campaign. Olivia Eike is a rising front-row presence. Ballard transfer [player_tooltip player_id='389074' first='Hailey' last='Flanders'] will help along with holdovers [player_tooltip player_id='215747' first='Ilana' last='Coleman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='555797' first='Marlee' last='Ellison'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 Finish - </strong>State Quarterfinalist</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4. Ankeny Centennial:</strong> The dynamic duo of [player_tooltip player_id='215464' first='Delaney' last='Miller'] and [player_tooltip player_id='215425' first='Jaeden' last='Pratt'] will be taking their final run at a championship after leading the group to the top of the mountain two years ago. The Jaguars are a player for the top prize once again in '24. [player_tooltip player_id='261088' first='Mya' last='Lei-Butters'] is one of the state's top liberos. [player_tooltip player_id='215751' first='Finley' last='Greiner'], [player_tooltip player_id='389060' first='Tatem' last='Schmidt'], Maegen Cheeseman, Ava Adams and others should be ready for larger roles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 Finish - </strong>State Semifinalist </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5. Iowa City Liberty:</strong> After winning it all in '22, a young and inexperienced Lightning outfit finished below .500 against a challenging schedule. It learned and grew through the lumps, making it a factor in '24. [player_tooltip player_id='215429' first='Asta' last='Hildebrand'] ranks as one of the top all-around players in Iowa. [player_tooltip player_id='316419' first='Edie' last='Miller'] is among the state's best in the back. [player_tooltip player_id='497594' first='Lucy' last='Maassen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='273001' first='Ellie' last='Wilson'] are excellent on the outside, and [player_tooltip player_id='316380' first='Hadley' last='Miller'] is a pin-point setter. [player_tooltip player_id='493985' first='Sydney' last='Van Heukelom'] is an emerging middle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 Finish -</strong> Regional Finalist</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6. Cedar Falls: </strong>The Tigers hung tough before falling to eventual champion Waukee Northwest in the state quarters a year ago. Their 34 overall victories were the most among big schools. While they'll be replacing key components from that team, plenty of talent returns. [player_tooltip player_id='261058' first='Brynn' last='Bakula'] is a top setter, and the same can be said about [player_tooltip player_id='215408' first='Grace' last='Hannam'] in the middle and libero [player_tooltip player_id='389010' first='Annistyn' last='Wedgbury']. [player_tooltip player_id='523167' first='Natalie' last=''] Schmadeke and Kya Bradfield are versatile net players, and [player_tooltip player_id='504019' first='Jada' last='Strohman'] is sound in the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 Finish -</strong> State Quarterfinalist</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>7. Waukee: </strong>The Warriors resemble Iowa City Liberty in that they were a young and inexperienced team last season that could leap ahead in '24. That ascent should coincide with the growth of [player_tooltip player_id='455721' first='Stella' last='Braddock'], [player_tooltip player_id='500115' first='Maggie' last='Craig'], [player_tooltip player_id='523164' first='Alexa' last=''] Weber, [player_tooltip player_id='389058' first='Gretta' last='Secory'] and [player_tooltip player_id='443092' first='Malia' last='Rogers'], who owns one of the state highest ceilings. Mia Heinrich also looks capable of making an impact after gaining experience a year ago.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 Finish</strong> - Regional Finalist</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>8. Waukee Northwest:</strong> The Wolves' incredible '23 run to gold ended with a 9-5 set record during the state tournament. It kept fans on the edge of their seats and cheering until the end. A memorable group of seniors left a lasting legacy that the returnees will try to build on. They include impressive '27 pin [player_tooltip player_id='490013' first='Logan' last='Vogt'] and [player_tooltip player_id='389019' first='Avery' last='Vogt'],&nbsp;one of the top setters in Iowa. [player_tooltip player_id='389065' first='Anna' last='Pelds'] returns as steading back-row force, and [player_tooltip player_id='490011' first='Leah' last='Janulewicz'] also will help there. Reinforcements are on the way in [player_tooltip player_id='493601' first='Piper' last='Ladwig'], [player_tooltip player_id='555820' first='London' last='Taylor'], [player_tooltip player_id='490004' first='Girona' last='Fengler'], [player_tooltip player_id='443085' first='Avery' last='Edgington'] and others.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 Finish -</strong> State Champion </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9.</strong> <strong>Indianola:</strong> A clutch Indianola outfit won a pair of five-setters in its first two state tournament matches last season. The run came to an end in the 4A title match against North Scott. Indianola returns a lot of production from that team, which will be tested moving up a class. The group includes all-staters [player_tooltip player_id='215466' first='Aspen' last='Nelsen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='215470' first='Camryn' last='Overton'], the duo combining for more than 750 kills a year ago. [player_tooltip player_id='215469' first='Maci' last='Lerseth'] is an excellent libero, and  [player_tooltip player_id='215468' first='Makenzie' last='Sloan'] returns after swinging her way to almost 250 kills in '23. Dana Blake is a proven performer at the net.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 Finish -</strong> State Finalist</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10. West Des Moines Valley:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='261075' first='Kaelyn' last='Wieland'] joins Iowa City Liberty's Hildebrand in a unique group of multi-positional standouts. The Tiger sophomore can do it all. Expect big steps forward by Ashlee Brown, [player_tooltip player_id='443086' first='Brynn' last='Cibula'] and Thia Raridon after they contributed to a state run last year. Abi Houston and [player_tooltip player_id='517919' first='Brooklyn' last='Brown'] return after chipping in on the varsity last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 Finish -</strong> State Quarterfinalist </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->