2025 CIML Team Previews, Players to Watch

Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: howe30 in the coupon code area   It's hard to believe Iowa high school volleyball practice officially starts in a little more than a month. It's also exciting thinking about watching the state's top teams compete for championships in Coralville come November.   With that in mind, it's probably a good time to get rolling on our conference previews and players to watch within those leagues. Let's start at the top with the Central Iowa Metro League:   ANKENY   2024 Finish: 36-5 (5A State Quarterfinalist)   Key Returnees: [player_tooltip player_id='827425' first='Miya' last='Steinkamp'], S; [player_tooltip player_id='555797' first='Marlee' last='Ellison'], OH; [player_tooltip player_id='555795' first='Gracyn' last='Adams'], S; [player_tooltip player_id='490016' first='Raquel' last='Risk'], OH.   Key Losses: Reagan Hanfelt; Baileigh Carlsen; Kamryn Scheib; Maya Ridgeway; Olivia Eike; Ilana Coleman.   Outlook: The Hawks don't rebuild. They reload. And they'll need to with what they graduated from last year's team. Steinkamp and Adams are versatile setters. Ellison and Risk are all-state caliber outside hitters. They're hammers at the pin with the versatility to shift to other positions. Ankeny will need older players who've waited for their chance and newcomers to fill in around that foursome. A healthy [player_tooltip player_id='389074' first='Hailey' last='Flanders'] (Ferris State) and [player_tooltip player_id='412719' first='Jenna' last='Harbour'] will hold down the back row. They should have an excellent sidekick in DS/L [player_tooltip player_id='809412' first='Madison' last='Anselme']. [player_tooltip player_id='490014' first='Maliya' last='Cobb'] and [player_tooltip player_id='730419' first='Hailey' last='Wiederin'] are ready for bigger roles in the front row. [player_tooltip player_id='778835' first='Clara' last='Chandler'], [player_tooltip player_id='755960' first='Haylie' last='Eimers'] and [player_tooltip player_id='758787' first='Katelyn' last='Mescher'] can compete for playing time. The pieces are in place for another state tournament run, they'll just need time to gel.   ANKENY CENTENNIAL   2024 Finish: 32-5 (5A State Semifinalist)   Key Returnees: [player_tooltip player_id='261088' first='Mya' last='Lei-Butters'], DS/L; [player_tooltip player_id='389060' first='Tatem' last='Schmidt'], S; [player_tooltip player_id='816525' first='Mady' last='Ott'], MH; [player_tooltip player_id='261083' first='Maegan' last='Cheeseman'], S; [player_tooltip player_id='827838' first='Sophia' last='Heither'], MH.   Key Losses: Jaeden Pratt; Finley Greiner; Delaney Miller.   Outlook: The dynamic duo of Miller and Pratt bid farewell to the Jaguars after leading them to the state semifinals the last three seasons. The last two campaigns ended in five-set setbacks to Waukee Northwest. While replacing a pair of powerful pins and all-around stars won't be easy, Centennial is rock solid in several key areas again. Lei-Butters is among the state's best in the back row. Setters Schmidt (Southwest Minnesota State) and Cheeseman (Sioux Falls) are committed scholarship student-athletes at the D-II level. Heither and Ott can potentially take over matches in the middle of the net. [player_tooltip player_id='809425' first='Nora' last='Bockes'], [player_tooltip player_id='493608' first='Bailey' last='Snyder'], [player_tooltip player_id='490002' first='Emma' last='Vanden Hull'], [player_tooltip player_id='493605' first='Kenlie' last='Erickson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='747361' first='Sidney' last='Rogers'] stand out among a deep roster of talent student-athletes looking to increase their roles. Like their city counterpart, the Ankeny Hawks, the Jaguars stand an excellent chance of returning to state.   DOWLING CATHOLIC   2024 Finish: 26-10 (State Semifinalist)   Key Returnees: [player_tooltip player_id='500340' first='Kaylie' last='Klein'], OH; [player_tooltip player_id='389933' first='Ellie' last='Muller'], MB; [player_tooltip player_id='215427' first='Ava' last='Groeteke'], RS; [player_tooltip player_id='845755' first='Kennedy' last='Klein'], OH.   Key Losses: Annalise Grant; Ashley Staun; Siri Beecher; Kate Nelson; Maddie Chapman; Ella Rogers.   Outlook: The Maroons challenge themselves against a difficult schedule. It paid off last season with a trip to the state semifinals, where they fell to eventual state champion Pleasant Valley. Dowling will be replacing key contributors lost to graduation, but it also brings back a really good core. [player_tooltip player_id='500340' first='Kaylie' last='Klein'], a Santa Clara pledge, was a third-team all-stater as a sophomore in 2024, and [player_tooltip player_id='389933' first='Ellie' last='Muller'] was a first-team all-district pick. Groeteke ranks as one of the top right-side hitters in Iowa. [player_tooltip player_id='845755' first='Kennedy' last='Klein'] appears ready for more responsibility as a sophomore this fall, and the same can be said about [player_tooltip player_id='730098' first='Caroline' last='Crane'], a serious breakout candidate. [player_tooltip player_id='763850' first='Gianna' last='Stanfel'] ability to play both pins could help her earn more reps, and [player_tooltip player_id='754848' first='Annabell' last='Niggemeyer'] has a chance to help in the middle. Setter [player_tooltip player_id='758163' first='Jaya' last='Morrow'] and  [player_tooltip player_id='800594' first='Alexis' last='Theis'] in the back row also will get opportunities.   JOHNSTON   2024 Finish: 18-18 (Regional Semifinalist)   Key Returnees: [player_tooltip player_id='805614' first='Grayce' last='Reiners'], DS/L; [player_tooltip player_id='389078' first='Norah' last='Hany'], MH; [player_tooltip player_id='831281' first='Cora' last='Shaw'], OH/S; [player_tooltip player_id='815861' first='Lila' last='Shaw'], MH/RS; [player_tooltip player_id='803251' first='Reagan' last='Pitts'], DS/L; [player_tooltip player_id='730385' first='Allison' last='Ricke'], RS/S.   Key Losses: Jaida Bell; Willow Schmitz; Claire Holub.   Outlook: Hany, a Florida Tech commitment, has made tremendous strides during club season and is poised for a super senior season. Pitts and Reiners provide the Dragons with a pair of dynamite defensive specialists. The Shaws are excellent athletes and versatile volleyballers capable of contributing at multiple positions. Ricke took a step forward in the club campaign and should be ready for a bigger role this fall. Opportunities will be there for [player_tooltip player_id='546566' first='Tabitha' last='Molden'], [player_tooltip player_id='793810' first='Emma' last='Gray'], [player_tooltip player_id='843197' first='Kendall' last='Haxton'] and [player_tooltip player_id='841285' first='Adaya' last='Phillips'] to secure more playing time. Johnston took its lumps as a younger squad in 2024, and it wouldn't be surprising to see it make a leap forward this year.   SOUTHEAST POLK   2024 Finish: 14-26 (Regional Semifinalist)   Key Returnees: [player_tooltip player_id='730416' first='Grace' last='Vandehaar'], DS/L; Gabi Severs, S; [player_tooltip player_id='813054' first='Elyse' last='Carlson'], MH/RS; [player_tooltip player_id='834113' first='Kennedy' last='Harris'], MH/OH.   Key Losses: [player_tooltip player_id='523168' first='Kylie' last=''] Ciesielski; Emma Soulis; Ellie Wood; Elisabeth Knichel.   Outlook: The Rams have reason for optimism with a solid nucleus coming back for another season. Vandehaar was credited with 454 digs last season, and Severs did it all with 248 assists 186 kills and 195 digs. Harris came up with 136 kills, 148 digs and 36.0 blocks, while Carlson showed signs that she could be ready for a big senior campaign. Keep a close eye on sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='763901' first='Berkley' last='Weiland'], who can contribute as a setter and on the right side in 2025.   URBANDALE   2024 Finish: 4-30 (Regional Semifinalist)   Key Returnees: Danni Pederson, S; [player_tooltip player_id='830060' first='Ava' last='Wattier'], OH; Maggie Walker, OH/MH; Vanessa Twitty, OH; Esther Hnem, DS/L; Reese DeVooght, DS/L.   Key Losses: Ela Tabakovic; Lauren Salmon; Gracie Nuss.   Outlook: The J-Hawks are striving to parlay a difficult 2024 season into a sizable step forward this year with plenty of production returning and lessons learned. They'll need to replace their top player in Tabakovic, but Pederson can step into that role after recording 231 assists and 145 digs as a sophomore last season. Twitty, DeVooght, Wattier and Walker all showed signs of growth a year ago, and [player_tooltip player_id='806755' first='Mia' last='German'] is capable of making an impact as a sophomore this fall.   WAUKEE   2024 Finish:   Key Returnees: [player_tooltip player_id='443092' first='Malia' last='Rogers'], OH; [player_tooltip player_id='498752' first='Allie' last='Ruddy'], DS/L; [player_tooltip player_id='389058' first='Gretta' last='Secory'], DS/L; [player_tooltip player_id='835524' first='Maggie' last='Craig'], OH; [player_tooltip player_id='500116' first='Alexa' last='Weber'], MH; Mia Heinrich, MH/RS; [player_tooltip player_id='443125' first='Liv' last='Davis'], S; [player_tooltip player_id='455721' first='Stella' last='Braddock'], RS.   Key Losses: Teagan Mash.   Outlook: The young Warriors surprised some folks last season by reaching the state tournament. While they won't sneak up on anyone in 2025, there's plenty of talent returning for another trip to Coralville with potential for a deeper run. Purdue commitment [player_tooltip player_id='443092' first='Malia' last='Rogers'] is one of the top prep players in the state regardless of age. Davis is as steady as they come at setter, while Ruddy, Craig, Weber and Braddock are proven producers. Secory and Heinrich can handle bigger roles, and DS/L [player_tooltip player_id='547128' first='Lydia' last='Cox'] has improved a bunch since the end of last season. [player_tooltip player_id='762174' first='Addison' last='Matlock'], [player_tooltip player_id='762735' first='Elsa' last='Munkvold'] and [player_tooltip player_id='775051' first='Ingrid' last='Secory'] are among a strong group of talented younger student-athletes in the program.   WAUKEE NORTHWEST   2024 Finish: 28-10 (State Finalist)   Key Returnees: [player_tooltip player_id='490011' first='Leah' last='Janulewicz'], DS/L; [player_tooltip player_id='555820' first='London' last='Taylor'], DS/L; [player_tooltip player_id='389019' first='Avery' last='Vogt'], S; [player_tooltip player_id='389065' first='Anna' last='Pelds'], DS/L; [player_tooltip player_id='490013' first='Logan' last='Vogt'], OH; [player_tooltip player_id='545971' first='Avery' last='Cordes'], RS; [player_tooltip player_id='493601' first='Piper' last='Ladwig'], OH; [player_tooltip player_id='812248' first='Cassidy' last='Danburg'], MH.   Key Losses: None   Outlook: The young Wolves took some lumps early in the year but figured it out quite nicely, thank you. They almost repeated as 5A state champs, falling to Pleasant Valley in the 2024 title match. With everybody back from that squad, Northwest is the clear favorite to win it all this season. Drake commitment [player_tooltip player_id='389019' first='Avery' last='Vogt'] runs the operation as one of Iowa's top high school setters. [player_tooltip player_id='490013' first='Logan' last='Vogt'] and Ladwig, both of whom committed to Iowa State this summer, are as good as any pin duo around, and the same can be said about Taylor and Janulewicz in the back row. Cordes could be the top right side within the borders, and Danburg, a high-end basketball player, is dangerous in the middle. Versatile [player_tooltip player_id='730423' first='Harper' last='Rus'] can crack the lineup after a strong club campaign. [player_tooltip player_id='555796' first='Lydia' last='Burrell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='760323' first='Abigail' last='Olsen'] could also push for playing time.   WDM VALLEY   2024 Finish: 14-23 (Regional Finalist)   Key Returnees: [player_tooltip player_id='803061' first='Myla' last='Rude'], DS/L; [player_tooltip player_id='517919' first='Brooklyn' last='Brown'], MH/OH; [player_tooltip player_id='443086' first='Brynn' last='Cibula'], OH; [player_tooltip player_id='839207' first='Thia' last='Raridon'], OH; [player_tooltip player_id='261075' first='Kaelyn' last='Wieland'], S/OH; [player_tooltip player_id='843934' first='Nia' last='Finn'], RS/MH; [player_tooltip player_id='536274' first='Ryan' last='Connolly'], OH; [player_tooltip player_id='612179' first='Olivia' last='Grubbs'], S.   Key Losses: Abi Houston.   Outlook: It was a rare down season in West Des Moines, but the experience should pay off for the Tigers in 2025. They bring back a talented group of student-athletes led Wieland, a third-team all-stater and Minnesota State pledge. Cibula contributes through six rotations and keeps improving. Raridon is a reliable veteran at the pin, and Rude is a rising defensive specialist. Brown, Connolly, Grubbs and Finn all are poised for more production in 2025. It would not be surprising to see Valley make a run at the state tournament with this group.

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