Volleyball 2014: Area teams to watch

Area volleyball teams to watch for the 2014 season:

CEDAR RAPIDS KENNEDY

Coach - Michelle Goodall (16th year at Kennedy, 366-199)

2013 record & postseason - 20-15, Class 5A regional finalist

Returning starters (5) - S Anna Fluent (5-9, jr.), MH Brinley Milbrath (6-2, jr.), OH Macy Anderson (6-0, jr.), OH Paige Franck (5-7, soph.), DS Kendal Meier (5-6, soph.)

CLEAR CREEK AMANA

Coach - Jackie Clubb (1st year, 0-0)

2013 record & postseason - 23-10, Class 4A regional finalist

Returning starters (8) - OH Alyssa Weldon (5-8, jr.), OH Hanna Stokes (5-10, sr.), MH Natalie Brimeyer (5-10, sr.), MH Ashley Prusha (6-1, jr.), S McKenzie Fuller (5-6, sr.), S Megan Beckler (5-5, jr.), DS Lexi Kinnaird (5-9, sr.), L Lauren Stopka (5-2, sr.)

INDEPENDENCE

Coach - Joe Schmitz (5th year, 63-81; 19th year overall, 228-291)

2013 record & postseason - 36-9, Class 3A state qualifier

Returning starters (5) - S Alyssa Hawkins (5-4, sr.), L Suzi Grover (5-5, sr.), OH Kaitlin Niedert (5-9, soph.), OH Shelby Lehman (5-8, sr.), OH Megann Kinseth (5-8, sr.)

IOWA CITY WEST

Coach - Randy Dolson (1st year at West, 0-0; coached 7 years at Dubuque Hempstead, 202-62; 29th year overall)

2013 record & postseason - 26-10, Class 5A regional semifinalist

Returning starters (4) - S/OH Laynie Whitehead (sr.), OH Mikaela Morgan (sr.), OH Emily Halverson (soph.), MH Ali Tauchen (soph.)

MARION

Coach - Roxanne Paulsen (11th year at Marion, 326-130; 15th year overall, 352-191)

2013 record & postseason - 25-16, Class 4A regional finalist

Returning starters (5) - OH Alyssa Thomas (5-10, jr.), OH Kaela Halvorson (5-7, jr.), OH Johanna Steggall (5-8, sr.), S Amanda Sahm (5-6, sr.), L Abby Phillips (5-3, sr.)

MOUNT VERNON

Coach - Maggie Willems (4th year, 71-40)

2013 record & postseason - 26-11, Class 3A state semifinalist

Returning starters (6) - S Morgan Melchert (5-9, sr.), OH Wynne Vandersall (5-5, soph.), DS Libby Ryan (5-6, soph.), MH Emma Cochrane (5-9, sr.), OH Kaitlyn Volesky (5-11, soph.), L Kate Lynott (5-6, sr.)

SOLON

Coach - Peter Gustin (3rd year, 66-8)

2013 record & postseason - 33-3, Class 4A state runner-up

Returning starters (4) - S Taylor Nearad (5-7, sr.), DS Grace McCarty (5-2, soph.), OH Jordan Smith (5-10, sr.), OH Jordan Runge (6-0, sr.)

WEST DELAWARE

Coach - Brett Mather (19th year at West Delaware, 578-136; 21st year overall, 608-163)

2013 record & postseason - 37-6, Class 4A state qualifier

Returning starters (6) - S Carlee Ketchum (5-8, jr.), DS Jade Putz (5-1, soph.), MH Addison Brooks (5-11, jr.), MH Bridget Hoffmann (5-9, jr.), L Emily Thole (5-8, sr.), OH Haley Morrison (5-7, sr.)

l Comments: (319) 368-8857; jeff.linder@thegazette.com