Prep Dig Iowa Class 4A Preseason Rankings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our venture into ranking teams began Monday with <a href="https://prepdig.com/2024/08/prep-dig-iowa-class-5a-preseason-rankings/">Class 5A</a>. It looked like a wide-open race among the biggest schools. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The next largest class shapes up the same way. Indianola is the favorite on paper, but there are several talented and interesting teams in 4A. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1. Xavier: </strong>The last time the Saints missed the playoffs, Uptown Funk was Billboard's No. 1 song for the year (2015). They're well positioned to reach the postseason for the ninth consecutive season. First-team all-stater [player_tooltip player_id='215392' first='Libby' last='Fandel'], a Kansas basketball commitment, shines through six rotations. Her versatility is complemented by that of [player_tooltip player_id='215386' first='Carley' last='Jonker'], a back-row standout that contributes up front. [player_tooltip player_id='215391' first='Taylor' last='Rexroth'] shines on offense and defense at the net, and [player_tooltip player_id='215394' first='Carissa' last='Timmerman'] can be counted on in the back. Ava VanBerkum, Amelia Miller and Kaitlin Rollinger are capable of taking on bigger roles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 Finish -</strong> State Quarterfinalist</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2. North Scott: </strong>The [program_tooltip program_id='431978' first='Lancers' last=''] surprised some folks by winning a state title as the four-seed in '23. They'll defend the championship with star [player_tooltip player_id='215406' first='Abbey' last='Hayes'] back for her senior season. The Creighton commitment is one of the state's top players. Others must step up in support of Hayes after key graduation losses, though. [player_tooltip player_id='215767' first='Emee' last='Allard'] is a two-way net presence, [player_tooltip player_id='389002' first='Mckenzie' last='Moeller'] should be ready for a bigger role in '24. Expect larger contributions from [player_tooltip player_id='389007' first='Adalynn' last='Johnson'], [player_tooltip player_id='785828' first='Paige' last='Coon'] and [player_tooltip player_id='538930' first='Lainey' last='Wall'] as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 Finish -</strong> State Champions</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3. Bishop Heelan</strong>: First-team all-stater [player_tooltip player_id='217136' first='Maliyah' last='Hacker'] (460 kills, 274 digs, 51.0 blocks) being in the lineup gives the Crusaders a chance at victory every time out. With her talented teammates, it's often achieved. All-district setter Maddie LaFleur (840 assists, 334 digs, 39.0 blocks) is back as are Addison Kleis and [player_tooltip player_id='493980' first='Melina' last='Snoozy'], who each approached almost 200 kills. Middle Abby Lee (51.0 blocks) halts attacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 Finish -</strong> Regional Finalist</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4.</strong> <strong>Lewis Central: </strong> The Titans entered last year's state tournament as the sixth seed and pushed Indianola to five sets in the semifinals. They must overcome significant graduation losses from that squad to make it back to Coralville. That will be made easier with the return of first-team all-stater [player_tooltip player_id='215458' first='Brooke' last='Larsen']. All-district middle [player_tooltip player_id='215459' first='Maddie' last='Roenfeld'] also comes back. Madelyn Ausdemore should take on a bigger role after solid contributions last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 Finish -</strong> State Semifinalist </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5. Clear Creek Amana</strong>: There will be an adjustment period for the Clippers, one of the most successful teams in 4A during the last two years. They're replacing the core of those squads. The cupboard is not bare, however. All-stater [player_tooltip player_id='361168' first='Averie' last='Lower'] (282 kills, 311 digs, 47.0 blocks) ranks among 4A's best players. Setter [player_tooltip player_id='243457' first='Emily' last='Henderson'] was excellent last season and has improved since then. [player_tooltip player_id='517585' first='Sariah' last='Sherman'] is an emerging middle, and [player_tooltip player_id='493660' first='Bailey' last='Simpson'] is a breakout candidate. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='516002' first='Julia' last='Schlarbaum'] can help as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 Finish -</strong> State Semifinalist</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6. Dallas Center-Grimes</strong>: The Mustangs rode a youth movement last season that could pay dividends this fall. While they'll be replacing an all-stater, the top two players in kills, [player_tooltip player_id='508928' first='Landry' last='Glasgow'] and [player_tooltip player_id='394331' first='Maggie' last='Leifker'], are back. [player_tooltip player_id='493973' first='Gwen' last='Farley'] racked up 700 assists as a freshman setter last year. Maliya Carlson, [player_tooltip player_id='447584' first='Deja' last='Jackson'] and Addie Abens are prepared for more playing time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 Finish - </strong>Regional Finalist</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>7. Glenwood:</strong> The Rams ran into a loaded Indianola outfit in last year's regional finals. They can build on that experience in getting back to state for the first time since '20. It's an attainable goal with all-stater [player_tooltip player_id='214507' first='Charley' last='Hernandez'] (301 kills) leading the way. [player_tooltip player_id='730673' first='Allison' last='Koontz'], an all-district setter, handed out 871 assists in '23. [player_tooltip player_id='754245' first='Kaylee' last='Wray'] and [player_tooltip player_id='730696' first='Ilsa' last='Kemling'] each churned out 150 kills, the latter adding 53.0 blocks. Steady Rylie Kendall returns in the back row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 Finish -</strong> Regional Finalist</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>8. Carlisle</strong>: Eastern Michigan commitment [player_tooltip player_id='196422' first='AK' last='Christensen'] is one of the state's better players despite largely flying under the radar during her prep career. Starting setter Abby Barry and versatile pin [player_tooltip player_id='215424' first='Sydney' last='Light'] give the Wildcats two more high-level performers. Ava Chanthavong and Logan Brown return as starters in the front row.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 Finish -</strong> Regional Semifinalist</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9. Waverly-Shell Rock:</strong> The Go-Hawks experienced an uncharacteristically difficult 2023 but could blossom from the growing pains. Senior Sydney Bienemann is an incredibly well-rounded setter, and Lizzy Frazell could be ready for takeoff after an impressive freshman year. Delilah Kroymann leads the back row with Gracie Hagarty and Dawn Meyer-Lillibridge also showing promise there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 Finish -</strong> Regional Finalist</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10. Norwalk:</strong> Co-setters [player_tooltip player_id='261064' first='Elizabeth' last='Iverson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='493974' first='Hadley' last='Michael'] return to lead a Warrior program that will be replacing plenty of production lost to graduation. [player_tooltip player_id='490003' first='Emmory' last='Toppenberg'] paced the team in blocks last season and added 132 kills, Ava Carlson stood out in the back. Adeleine Fisher and Ava Carlson will be filling larger roles in '24.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2023 Finish - </strong>State Quarterfinalist </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>*<em>The plan is to update 5A and 4A rankings every Monday throughout the regular season, beginning on Sept. 2. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->