Season Preview: CIML Teams, Players to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hey, look up ahead. We're almost there. Volleyball season arrives shortly. No better time than the present to dive into previews for squads around the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We'll start with the Central Iowa Metro League, home to defending Class 5A state champion Waukee Northwest. State tournament participants Ankeny, Ankeny Centennial, Dowling Catholic, West Des Moines Valley and Johnston also reside in the CIML. In other words, six of nine teams in this conference will be trying to make it back to Xtream Arena in Coralville. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Waukee Northwest</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Outlook: </strong>The Wolves won the state championship as a three-seed, taking down Cedar Falls, Centennial and Dowling at Xtream Arena. They lost twice to Dowling and Centennial during the regular season. Northwest's postseason performance was one for the history books at a school that first opened for the '21-22 school year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The graduation of key performers from the championship run will test the program's strength. Fortunately for the Wolves, proven players are returning. They'll be joined by student-athletes ready for bigger roles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='389019' first='Avery' last='Vogt'], [player_tooltip player_id='490013' first='Logan' last='Vogt'] and [player_tooltip player_id='389065' first='Anna' last='Pelds'] were key cogs last fall with plenty of room to grow as players. <strong> </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='490011' first='Leah' last='Janulewicz'] (DS/L) and Vana Bilic (S) have varsity experience. [player_tooltip player_id='493601' first='Piper' last='Ladwig'] (OH), [player_tooltip player_id='555820' first='London' last='Taylor'] (DS/L), [player_tooltip player_id='443085' first='Avery' last='Edgington'] (OH), [player_tooltip player_id='555796' first='Lydia' last='Burrell'] (OH) and [player_tooltip player_id='443125' first='Liv' last='Davis'] (S) are among a collection of talented youngsters on the roster. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dowling Catholic</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Outlook: </strong>The Maroons battled Northwest through five sets in the state championship match last November. They enjoyed an outstanding overall season, finishing 32-8. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dowling returns a pair of college commitments in [player_tooltip player_id='189864' first='Annalise' last='Grant'] (Iowa State) and [player_tooltip player_id='215412' first='Ella' last='Rogers'] (South Dakota). [player_tooltip player_id='215728' first='Kate' last='Nelson'], [player_tooltip player_id='215724' first='Siri' last='Beecher'],&nbsp;[player_tooltip player_id='389933' first='Ellie' last='Muller'] and [player_tooltip player_id='215427' first='Ava' last='Groeteke'] each delivered at least 153 kills in '23. Nelson and Muller combined for 215.0 blocks. Maddie Chapman returns as a back-row starter. [player_tooltip player_id='215422' first='Amaiya' last='Thompson'] would start in plenty of other programs. [player_tooltip player_id='493615' first='Alexis' last='Theis'] and [player_tooltip player_id='500340' first='Kaylie' last='Klein'] are back after seeing varsity action as freshmen a year ago. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ankeny Centennial</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Outlook: </strong>The Jaguars advanced to the state semifinals the last two seasons. They were led by first-team all-staters [player_tooltip player_id='215464' first='Delaney' last='Miller'] and [player_tooltip player_id='215425' first='Jaeden' last='Pratt'], seniors who return for a last run at the top prize. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='261088' first='Mya' last='Lei-Butters'] is one of the better liberos in the state. [player_tooltip player_id='215751' first='Finley' last='Greiner'] , Ava Adams, and Maegen Cheeseman could be poised for a bigger roles in '24.<a href="https://prepdig.com/player/nora-bockes/"> Nora </a>Bockus, [player_tooltip player_id='389060' first='Tatem' last='Schmidt'], [player_tooltip player_id='261066' first='Emma' last='Reaman'], [player_tooltip player_id='389059' first='Kylee' last='Patterson'], [player_tooltip player_id='493608' first='Bailey' last='Snyder'], [player_tooltip player_id='493617' first='Ellie' last='Blevins'], [player_tooltip player_id='490002' first='Emma' last='Vanden Hull'], [player_tooltip player_id='493605' first='Kenlie' last='Erickson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='523160' first='Lily' last=''] Harmon are part of the next wave of talented Jaguars moving up. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Johnston</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Outlook: </strong>The Dragons cruised into the state tournament with a pair of postseason victories against Waukee and Marshalltown. They'd stumbled against Valley in the regional finals the previous season, so it was nice to get over the hump. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The depth of Johnston's program could be tested this season after graduation losses. Don't be surprised to see the Dragons meet the challenge. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='538919' first='Jaida' last='Bell'] is leading returner in kills (89) and blocks (40.0), while [player_tooltip player_id='215723' first='Willow' last='Schmitz']'s 147 digs in '23 are the most among returning players. Lila Shaw, [player_tooltip player_id='389078' first='Norah' last='Hany'] and Claire Holub have varsity experience, and young setter, Allison Ricke, is a name to know. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ankeny</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Outlook: </strong>Ankeny fell, 15-12, in the fifth set against rival Centennial in last year's state tournament quarterfinals. It lost to Valley at that state the season before. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Hawks are seeking their first state title since '20 with an experienced roster capable of a big season. All-staters [player_tooltip player_id='207016' first='Baileigh' last='Carlsen'], [player_tooltip player_id='204525' first='Kamryn' last='Scheib'] and [player_tooltip player_id='215465' first='Reagan' last='Hanfelt'] form the foundation of this year's squad. Olivia Eike boasts all-state potential, and [player_tooltip player_id='443093' first='Maya' last='Ridgeway'] and [player_tooltip player_id='215747' first='Ilana' last='Coleman'] appear poised for a bigger roles. Juniors [player_tooltip player_id='389074' first='Hailey' last='Flanders'] and [player_tooltip player_id='490014' first='Maliya' last='Cobb'] along with sophomores [player_tooltip player_id='555797' first='Marlee' last='Ellison'], [player_tooltip player_id='412719' first='Jenna' last='Harbour'] and [player_tooltip player_id='490016' first='Raquel' last='Risk'] add to this outfit's depth of talented players. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West Des Moines Valley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Outlook: </strong>The Tigers reaching last year's state tournament in what was a down season for them illustrated the strength of their program and the power of the CIML. They arrived in Coralville with a 19-15 record.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Valley will be replacing key performers lost to graduation. It can rely one of the state's best all-around players in [player_tooltip player_id='261075' first='Kaelyn' last='Wieland']. Thia Raridon and Ashlee Brown are versatile front-row athletes with a big swings. [player_tooltip player_id='443086' first='Brynn' last='Cibula'] and Abi Houston will take on more responsibilities this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Waukee</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Outlook: </strong>Last season ended a step from state for the Warriors. Johnston eliminated them in the regional finals. It also was a step forward for a program still searching for its first winning season since making it to state in '19. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Expect a winning season from Waukee this fall with the potential for much more. A talented group of players is capable of making some noise after taking its lumps in '23. [player_tooltip player_id='443092' first='Malia' last='Rogers'], [player_tooltip player_id='500115' first='Maggie' last='Craig'], [player_tooltip player_id='523164' first='Alexa' last=''] Weber and [player_tooltip player_id='455721' first='Stella' last='Braddock'] all look like high-upside players with varsity experience under their belts. [player_tooltip player_id='389058' first='Gretta' last='Secory'], Mia Heinrich,&nbsp;Megan Tracy and Teagan Mash also have made varsity contributions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Southeast Polk</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Outlook: </strong>The Rams' 14 victories in '23 were the most since they collected 20 in '19. They'll look to build on that win total with a relatively seasoned lineup. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Emma Soulis and Kennedy Borud are experienced setters who shared the role a year ago. Kennedy Harris, [player_tooltip player_id='523168' first='Kylie' last=''] Ciesielski and Ellie Wood are veteran hitters seeking bigger roles. Grace Vandehaar is a stabilizer in the back row, where Gabriella Severs is a reliable contributor. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Urbandale</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Outlook: </strong>The J-Hawks played at the state tournament just two short years ago. That run has been followed by two seasons finishing with under-.500 records. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Urbandale welcomes back Ela Tabakovic, Courtney Dunn, Danni Pederson, Lauren Salmon, Maggie Walker and Ava Wattier as varsity veterans hoping to fill even bigger roles this coming campaign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->