2025 MVC Team Previews, Players to Watch, Part I

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>   <a href="https://prepdig.com/2025/07/2025-mac-team-previews-players-to-watch/">2025 MAC Team Previews, Players to Watch</a>   It's hard to believe Iowa high school volleyball practice officially starts next 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 first half - alphabetically - of Mississippi Valley Conference:   CEDAR FALLS   2024 Finish: 33-7 (5A State Quarterfinalist)   Key Returnees: [player_tooltip player_id='389010' first='Annistyn' last='Wedgbury'], DS/L; [player_tooltip player_id='261058' first='Brynn' last='Bakula'], S; [player_tooltip player_id='389853' first='Kennedy' last='Krecklow'], OH; Maya McNally, MH.   Key Losses: [player_tooltip player_id='523167' first='Natalie' last=''] Schmadeke; Jada Strohman; Grace Hannam; Kya Bradfield.   Outlook: The Tigers will be trying to punch their ticket to the state tournament for the third year in a row. They'd also like to advance farther upon arrival. There's reason for hope that can happen despite significant losses to graduation. Wedgbury and Bakula are among the best at their positions in the state. Krecklow is a dynamic six-rotation outside hitter, and McNally can be a factor in the middle of the net. [player_tooltip player_id='807066' first='Piper' last='Smith'], [player_tooltip player_id='742408' first='Kinzie' last='Clayton'], [player_tooltip player_id='785730' first='Landry' last='Aikey'], [player_tooltip player_id='555782' first='Layten' last='Schmidt'], [player_tooltip player_id='767026' first='Elsie' last='Gerdes'] and [player_tooltip player_id='764299' first='Kenley' last='Mather'] are among a group of talented student-athletes seeking to seize their opportunities for more playing time.   CEDAR RAPIDS JEFFERSON   2024 Finish: 7-28   Key Returnees: [player_tooltip player_id='555785' first='Lexi' last='Haller'], S/RS; [player_tooltip player_id='815520' first='Kymara' last='Atwood-Mayes'], MH/OH; Mia Denlinger, S; Ady Sacora, DS/L.   Key Losses: Ava Erger; Danielle Boche; Carlee Deam.   Outlook: There's reason for optimism on the southwest side of Cedar Rapids. Haller and Denlinger are versatile setters ready to run the show. Atwood-Mayes brings a big swing to a match. Sacora is a breakout candidate with what she flashed in the back row as a freshman last season. The J-Hawks will need to identify more contributors to the cause, but they boast a strong foundation of talent on which to build.   CEDAR RAPIDS KENNEDY   2024 Finish: 15-24   Key Returnees: Charley Lovell, S; [player_tooltip player_id='525829' first='Addison' last='Phillips'], MH; [player_tooltip player_id='621326' first='Dylan' last='Amling'], DS/OH; [player_tooltip player_id='808100' first='Skyylan' last='Ousley'], OH; [player_tooltip player_id='730456' first='Lextyn' last='Pankey'], DS/L.   Key Losses: Adalyn Hermanson; Jenna Younge.   Outlook: Kennedy absorbed lumps with a mostly youthful, inexperienced roster last season. The Cougars welcome back a lot of that talent in 2025 and stand well positioned to see significant gains. Hermanson and Younge were stalwarts and will be missed, but Phillips and Ousley are poised for breakout junior campaigns this fall. They're technically sound volleyball players with athleticism. Lovell is a reliable setter, and the same can be said about Pankey in the back row. Amling also stands out as a defensive specialist and can contribute in other areas. [player_tooltip player_id='261073' first='Irelyn' last='Ballard'], Lucy McCord, [player_tooltip player_id='826795' first='Keira' last='Mueller'], [player_tooltip player_id='840626' first='Maddie' last='Kray'], [player_tooltip player_id='832696' first='Hayden' last='Scott'], [player_tooltip player_id='555717' first='Kaycee' last='Cory'], [player_tooltip player_id='792815' first='Cara' last='Crock'] and others will be pushing for more time in the rotation.   CEDAR RAPIDS PRAIRIE   2024 Finish: 29-12   Key Returnees: [player_tooltip player_id='809383' first='Grace' last='Knock'], DS/L; [player_tooltip player_id='846069' first='Olivia' last='Marais'], OH; [player_tooltip player_id='828243' first='Heather' last='Hingst'], MH.   Key Losses: Johanna Caspers; Ella Hackbarth; Sophia Palmer; Taylor Ray; Carly Wazac.   Outlook: The Prairie Hawks worked hard down the stretch of the regular season to gain home-court advantage in the 2024 regionals. Unfortunately, they ran into a hot Bettendorf squad that pulled off an upset. Prairie must replace major hits caused by graduation, but it also will field a roster capable of competing. The trio of Knock, Marais and Hingst are proven talents positioned for steps forward in production this coming season. The Prairie Hawks also would benefit if [player_tooltip player_id='793036' first='Chloe' last='Bishop'], [player_tooltip player_id='833921' first='Kaylee' last='Hagstrom'], Reagan Bennis, Baylee Whitehill and others make the most of opportunities for reps.   CEDAR RAPIDS WASHINGTON   2024 Finish: 2-30   Key Returnees: [player_tooltip player_id='794614' first='Isolde' last='Pfremmer'], S; [player_tooltip player_id='815639' first='Lauren' last='Cihla'], MH/RS; Hailey Becker, MH/RS; [player_tooltip player_id='792106' first='Ava' last='Pasker'], OH/DS; [player_tooltip player_id='842424' first='Elliana' last='Puckett'], RS/MH.   Key Losses: Sophie Rahe; Selia Stein; Kamiyah Elders.   Outlook: The Warriors struggles last season were not from a lack of effort. They're hoping growing pains experienced will pay off in 2025. Pfremmer is a sound setter. Cihla, Becker and Puckett all can be effective at the net. Pasker's versatility will be an asset for Washington. Aubrey Arensdorf and Lauren Allen will have a chance to increase their roles in the back row.   CEDAR RAPIDS XAVIER   2024 Finish: 28-5 (4A State Quarterfinalist)   Key Returnees: Josie Smith, S; [player_tooltip player_id='329851' first='Macie' last='Lupkes'], MH.   Key Losses: Libby Fandel; Ava VanBerkum; Taylor Rexroth; [player_tooltip player_id='540833' first='Izzie' last='McDonald']; Carissa Timmerman; Carley Jonker; Kaitlin Rollinger.   Outlook: It feels like 2025 will be a transition of some kind within the Xavier program. The Saints must replace standouts lost to graduation, including Fandel, one of the school's all-time greats. The cupboard is not bare, however, and they have potential contributors developing in the system. Smith and Lupkes rank among the top performers at their respective positions in the MVC. [player_tooltip player_id='730470' first='Maddie' last='Ireland'] is a promising back-rower, and Caylin Miller, Brooklyn Emerson, [player_tooltip player_id='843589' first='Madden' last='Wilson'], Keke Harbeck and others can compete for available playing time.   DUBUQUE HEMPSTEAD   2024 Finish: 16-17   Key Returnees: [player_tooltip player_id='389854' first='Kampbell' last='Bryte'], OH.   Key Losses: Emma Cuzas; Addison Cook; Addi Wright; Lexi Kuhle; Luci Weber; Kate Moeller; Taylor Klotz; Gabbi Smith.   Outlook: At their best, the Mustangs were competitive with most opponents in 2024. Returnees and newcomers will be pursuing more success this season while having to replace a big chunk of the team's production from a year ago. Bryte is the most proven and accomplished player on the roster. She's ready to expand her role. [player_tooltip player_id='809577' first='Cece' last='Freihoefer'], Grace Eichhorn, [player_tooltip player_id='845571' first='Hayden' last='Freiburger'] and [player_tooltip player_id='816991' first='Memphis' last='Gibson'] will have opportunities for more time in the rotation.   DUBUQUE SENIOR   2024 Finish: 16-22   Key Returnees: [player_tooltip player_id='389066' first='Cambel' last='Drapeau'], MH; Maddie Prehm, OH/MH; Brooklyn Klaas, S; Noraleigh Nagelmaker, S/DS; Bailey Davis, S/DS;   Key Losses: Ellanor Foley; Lexie LeConte; Ava Ahart.   Outlook: Drapeau, a Creighton commitment, is one of the top players in the state, regardless of position. The Rams will look to play more consistently well around her this year, She's an excellent foundational on which to build a team. Prehm, Klaas, Nagelmaker and Davis look ready for the next stage of their development. Senior could receive more production from Sienna McDonald, Julieann Demmer and Arabella Dvorsky in 2025. [player_tooltip player_id='756686' first='Melanie' last='Pfab'] and [player_tooltip player_id='758312' first='Paige' last='Lyons'] are promising young players that may be ready to help.

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