2025 MAC Team Previews, Players to Watch

Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: howe30 in the coupon code area   <a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/07/2025-ciml-team-previews-players-to-watch/">2025 CIML Team Previews, Players to Watch</a>   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 on the road to the championships in Coralville come November.   With that in mind, we're rolling on our conference previews and players to watch within those leagues in preparation for the campaign ahead. Next up is the Mississippi Athletic Conference:   BETTENDORF   2024 Finish: 18-16 (5A Regional Finalist)   Key Returnees: [player_tooltip player_id='806603' first='Makenna' last='Miller'], OH; Kelsi Smith,, S; [player_tooltip player_id='474884' first='Peyton' last='Nagle'], MH/OH; [player_tooltip player_id='575805' first='Dyllan' last='Harn'], OH;  [player_tooltip player_id='569671' first='Logan' last='Ramstack'], DS/L.   Key Losses: Adalyn Galbraith; Nina Wade; Anna Ostrom.   Outlook: The Bulldogs opened eyes by knocking off top-seeded Prairie in last year's regional semifinals before falling against Waukee in the final. A lot of production and experience returns from that squad, making Bettendorf a contender to be one of 5A's Final 8 in 2025. Harn and Miller are powerful at the pin, and contribute through six rotations. Smith is a well-rounded setter capable of defending at the net and the back row. Nagle is an excellent athlete that plays taller than her height with keen volleyball instincts. Ramstack has a good feel in the back row. [player_tooltip player_id='841502' first='Addy' last='Zumwalt'], Reece Harrell and Abby Dykstra are among a group of inexperienced varsity players that could be ready for bigger roles.   CENTRAL DEWITT   2024 Finish: 9-18 (4A Regional Quarterfinalist)   Key Returnees: [player_tooltip player_id='792673' first='Brynlee' last='Shimp'], S/RS; [player_tooltip player_id='828565' first='Quinn' last='Schroeder'], RS/MH; Bri Clark, OH/MH;  [player_tooltip player_id='811891' first='Brooke' last='Crank'], RS/MH; [player_tooltip player_id='808764' first='Jillian' last='Hawthorne'], DS/L.   Key Losses: Katlin Truelsen; Sydney McNealy.   Outlook: The Sabers bring back a talented core of student-athletes that grew through playing a tough schedule last season. While they'll be challenged again, this group should be better prepared to handle the heat. Shimp is a reliable setter that holds up well in serve-receive. Clark is explosive on the outside and a technically sound volleyball player. Schroeder is a solid two-way net performer, and Hawthorne is a rising talent in the back row.   CLINTON   2024 Finish: 5-23 (4A Regional Semifinalist)   Key Returnees: Vanessa Hensel, S; [player_tooltip player_id='845648' first='Joselyn' last='Petersen'], RS/MH; Maggie House, OH/RS; [player_tooltip player_id='806634' first='Maloree' last='Byrns'], OH/DS; [player_tooltip player_id='826907' first='[player_tooltip player_id='523168' first='Kylie' last='']' last='Schroeder'], OH; [player_tooltip player_id='808990' first='Madeline' last='Rowden'], DS/L; Haley Thomas, DS/L.   Key Losses: Olivia Glover; Avery Luett.   Outlook: The River Queens experienced excitement during last year's postseason with a thrilling, five-set victory at rival Central DeWitt during the regional quarterfinals. It was an accomplishment on which to build despite a loss to North Scott in the next round. Clinton returns quite a bit of production from a year ago. Hensen is a consistent presence at setter, and the same can be said about Thomas in the back row. Byrns impacts matches through six rotations, and Petersen also possesses a broad set of skills. House, Schroeder and Rowden are prepared for bigger roles in 2025.   DAVENPORT ASSUMPTION   2024 Finish: 25-9 (3A State Quarterfinalist)   Key Returnees: [player_tooltip player_id='694203' first='Belle' last='Cotton'], OH; Delylah Graves, RS/OH; [player_tooltip player_id='230661' first='Ellah' last='Derrer'], MH; [player_tooltip player_id='630696' first='Erin' last='Robbins'], MH.   Key Losses: Alyssa O'Neal; Dru Dorsey; Ellie Schubert; Nora Remrey.   Outlook: The Knights graduated a lot of firepower from last year's state tournament qualifier. Fortunately for them, a lot of talent is returning and a key transfer will join the fray. Former Pleasant Valley setter [player_tooltip player_id='389006' first='Carsyn' last='Kelley'] will line up for Assumption after helping the Spartans win a 5A state championship last year. She'll be familiar with club teammates, Derrer and Robbins, one of Iowa's top middle tandems. Derrer (Kansas State) has a case for being the best senior in the state, period, and Robbins would be a star on most other teams. Cotton is among the best sophomores within the borders. Graves looks ready to contribute more. The Knights usually benefit from developing players within the program, so expect new names to emerge.   DAVENPORT CENTRAL   2024 Finish: 2-21 (5A Regional Quarterfinalist)   Key Returnees: [player_tooltip player_id='833773' first='Kate' last='Selvig'], OH/RS; Madison VanDerLeest, OH/MH; [player_tooltip player_id='813413' first='Falyn' last='Mussmann'], MH/OH; Anne Linehan, S/RS; [player_tooltip player_id='795188' first='Kalea' last='Young'], DS/OH.   Key Losses: [player_tooltip player_id='813003' first='Ellie' last='Linehan']; Helena Flores.   Outlook: Central took its lumps with a youthful roster in 2024, an experience the program hopes will pay off in more success this fall. Selvig and VanDerLeest lead the way as versatile performers capable of impacting the action in multiple ways. Mussmann and Anne Linehan are promising sophomores that flashed potential as ninth-graders. Young should help strengthen the back row.   DAVENPORT NORTH   2024 Finish: 12-21 (5A Regional Semifinalist)   Key Returnees: [player_tooltip player_id='812892' first='Ella' last='Glover'], MH/RS; [player_tooltip player_id='791213' first='Alaina' last='Zamora'], DS/L; [player_tooltip player_id='811174' first='Ashlynne' last='Jorgensen'], MH/RS; [player_tooltip player_id='832943' first='Jaclyn' last='Bruce'], OH/RS; [player_tooltip player_id='388991' first='Molly' last='Kemp'], OH/RS; [player_tooltip player_id='831478' first='Dominique' last='Vella'], OH.   Key Losses: Makenna Posten; Gisele Muhammad; Emma Roth.   Outlook: North struggled against the top competition last year but did well in beating like-resourced programs. A strong core coming back in 2025 might mean more success for the Wildcats. Kemp is an established veteran with the ability to impact the proceedings with her attack. Vella also pressures defenses with her swing. Glover displayed promise as a sophomore last year and is likely to contribute more as an 11th-grader. Zamora will anchor the back row, and Jorgensen looks ready for a memorable senior season.   DAVENPORT WEST   2024 Finish: 3-25 (5A Regional Quarterfinalist)   Key Returnees: [player_tooltip player_id='805775' first='Isabella' last='Taylor'], OH; Leah Huntley, S/DS; [player_tooltip player_id='826328' first='Halle' last='Comer'], MH; [player_tooltip player_id='514987' first='Eden' last='Miller'], MH.   Key Losses: Emmalynn Golinghorst; Rachel Ehlers; Ellie Holdorf; Alissa Nguyen.   Outlook: West dropped a crushing five-setter to North on senior night last year before falling to the Wildcats in four frames in the regional. While it was tough to swallow, the Falcons are looking to rise from that experience. The most difficult part in making that happen will be replacing production lost to graduation. Comer impressed as a sophomore in 2024 and looks like a breakout candidate. Huntley contributed in multiple ways last year and has a chance for a step forward at setter this season. Miller is a rising middle.   MUSCATINE   2024 Finish: 10-24 (5A Regional Quarterfinalist)   Key Returnees: Julliana Montez, DS/S; [player_tooltip player_id='796221' first='Lilly' last='Gray'], DS/L; [player_tooltip player_id='814200' first='Jaleyna' last='Tompkins'], MH; [player_tooltip player_id='489998' first='Belle' last='Seaman'], S/OH; [player_tooltip player_id='812915' first='Ella' last='Maynard'], MH.   Key Losses: Myla Halloran; Elsie Lewis; Claire Largent.   Outlook: The Muskies face a difficult slate every year. Doing so in 2024 should produce better results this season with a lot of experience and production returning. It begins with Seaman, one of the better setters around, who also does it all for this outfit. Montez stands out in the back row but also contributes everywhere for Muscatine. The Muskies suffered graduation losses in the back row, but Gray should help mitigate them. Tompkins and Maynard can help Muscatine improve as a team if they take another step forward in 2025.   NORTH SCOTT   2024 Finish: 30-5 (4A State Semifinalist)   Key Returnees: [player_tooltip player_id='261052' first='Ainsley' last='Haedt'], DS/L; McKenzie Moeller, OH; [player_tooltip player_id='389008' first='Addison' last='Allen'], S; [player_tooltip player_id='827589' first='Paige' last='Coon'], MH/RS.   Key Losses: Abbey Hayes; Lainey Wall; Emee Allard;   Outlook: The Lancer program came up short of repeating as 4A state champions but did itself proud with a return to the semifinals, where it fell to 2024 champion Bishop Heelan. The difficulty of making it back to Coralville is intensifies with the graduation of Hayes, who is off to Creighton. She's a generational talent. North Scott will lean on the experience of Haedt, Moeller and Allen, among the best at their respective positions in the class. Haedt has steadily become a reliable force in the back row. Moeller is a hammer on the outside that can also impact matches through six rotations. Allen can be counted on to consistently set up teammates, defend in the front and back rows, and find holes in the opponent's alignment. Coon is prepared for a bigger role. Brooklynn Flenker, [player_tooltip player_id='389005' first='Cadey' last='Bredar'], [player_tooltip player_id='493996' first='Sydney' last='Soppe'], [player_tooltip player_id='758799' first='Abigail' last='Holst'] and [player_tooltip player_id='376747' first='Reese' last='Jackson'] are looking to seize their opportunities.   PLEASANT VALLEY   2024 Finish: 35-2 (5A State Champions)   Key Returnees: Isaballe Kremer, OH; [player_tooltip player_id='261085' first='Maren' last='Ouellette'], OH/RS; [player_tooltip player_id='389818' first='Hanley' last='Schmidt'], OH; [player_tooltip player_id='493657' first='Addison' last='Allaman'], DS/L; [player_tooltip player_id='490015' first='Mazie' last='Sweers'], OH;   Key Losses: Stella Smith; Gabriella Ragins; Abbie Staats; Lauren Brohm; [player_tooltip player_id='389006' first='Carsyn' last='Kelley']; Hailey Asselin;   Outlook: The Spartans will go for a repeat with enough talent returning to make that dream a reality. The losses of Smith and Ragins in the middle of the net, Kelley and Brohm setting, and Staats in the back row will be challenging to overcome, but recent Drake commitment, [player_tooltip player_id='243182' first='Isabelle' last='Kremer'], is among the top tier of players in the state. She'll have plenty of help. Sweers is one of the best six-rotation performers around. Ouellette and Schmidt bring all-district, and perhaps all-state potential at the pins. Allaman flashes the potential to be steady in the back row. [player_tooltip player_id='555775' first='Alexis' last='Stilwell'], [player_tooltip player_id='555746' first='Clare' last='Yeggy'], [player_tooltip player_id='555773' first='Liv' last='Barudin'], [player_tooltip player_id='443124' first='Rachel' last='Allen'], [player_tooltip player_id='541768' first='Graycelyn' last='Wilkins'] and [player_tooltip player_id='547963' first='Grace' last='Kremer'] all should have a chance to earn playing time. Pleasant Valley could experience growing pains early this season, but the pieces are in place for another run for the gold if members of the team become connected. It happened for Waukee Northwest last year.

Get 30% off your first billing cycle with code: howe30 in the coupon code area