Volleyball 2015: Area teams to watch

Area teams to watch for the 2015 volleyball season:

CEDAR RAPIDS KENNEDY

Coach - Michelle Goodall (17th year at Kennedy, 394-211; 21st year overall, record NA)

2014 record - 28-12

2014 postseason - Class 5A regional finalist

Returning starters (7) - S Anna Fluent (5-9, sr.); OH Brinley Milbrath (6-3, sr.); OH Macy Anderson (6-0, sr.); OH Paige Franck (5-8, jr.); DS Kendal Meier (5-6, jr.); DS Madi Palmer (5-7, jr.); L Tianna Drahn (5-7, sr.)

IOWA CITY HIGH

Coach - Craig Pitcher (14th year at City High, 410-103; 20th year overall, 511-173)

2014 record - 24-11

2014 postseason - Class 5A state qualifier

Returning starters (5) - L Ashley Smith (5-7, sr.); OH Alexa Aldrich-Ingram (5-8, jr.); S Cyan Vandehoef (5-7, jr.); OH Kendra Cave (5-10, jr.); OH Shannon James (5-9, jr.)

IOWA CITY WEST

Coach - Randy Dolson (2nd year at West, 28-12; 30th year overall, record NA)

2014 record - 28-12

2014 postseason - Class 5A state qualifier

Returning starters (4) - MH Ali Tauchen (6-0, jr.); MH Emily Halverson (6-2, jr.); DS Madi Ford (5-6, jr.); S Maddie Fay (5-10, jr.)

LINN-MAR

Coach - Teresa Kehe (3rd year at Linn-Mar, 50-27; 26th year overall, 629-154)

2014 record - 27-12

2014 postseason - Class 5A regional semifinalist

Returning starters (3) - S Ellie Anderson (5-8, jr.); OH Emilee McGowan (5-5, jr.); MH Carly Spies (6-2, soph.) ... Note: OH Amanda Ollinger (6-1, sr.) transferred from Cedar Rapids Jefferson.

MARION

Coach - Roxanne Paulsen (12th year at Marion, 358-137; 16th year overall, 384-198)

2014 record - 34-8

2014 postseason - Class 4A state semifinalist

Returning starters (5) - MH Isabella Sade (6-1, jr.); S Caitlyn Smith (5-8, soph.); OH Morgan Swanger (5-9, jr.); DS Tanea Westoff (5-7, jr.); OH Alyssa Thomas (5-10, sr.)

MOUNT VERNON

Coach - Maggie Willems (5th year, 104-50)

2014 record - 33-8

2014 postseason - Class 3A state runner-up

Returning starters (4) - OH Sydney Meeker (5-7, jr.); OH Wynne Vandersall (5-7, jr.); L Libby Ryan (5-6, jr.); MH Kaitlyn Volesky (5-9, jr.)

SOLON

Coach - Peter Gustin (4th year, 99-16)

2014 record - 33-8

2014 postseason - Class 3A state champion

Returning starters (3) - OH Jessica Heick (5-6, jr.); OH Grace Keith (5-9, soph.); MH Josey Hajek (5-9, sr.)

WEST BRANCH

Coach - Josh Lukavsky (6th year at West Branch, 160-32; 17th year overall, 343-187)

2014 record - 34-6

2014 postseason - Class 2A state qualifier

Returning starters (7) - L DaLana Kron (jr.); S Allyson Simpson (sr.); OH Abby Knoop (jr.); S Trystin Luneckas (sr.); OH Haley Poula (sr.); MH Bailey Lukavsky (sr.); OH Jenae Murry (sr.)

WEST DELAWARE

Coach - Brett Mather (20th year at West Delaware, 623-136; 22nd year overall, 653-156)

2014 record - 45-3

2014 postseason - Class 4A state runner-up

Returning starters (4) - S Carlee Ketchum (5-8, sr.); MH Addison Brooks (5-11, sr.); MH Bridget Hoffmann (5-9, sr.); OH Kristen Wegmann (5-10, sr.)

WEST LIBERTY

Coach - Ruben Galvan (13th year at West Liberty; 18th year overall)

2014 record - 37-6

2014 postseason - Class 3A state qualifier

Returning starters (5) - DS Maddie Simon (5-4, sr.); S Cassedi Simon (5-9, sr.); MH Hailey Daufeldt (5-9, sr.); OH Audra Bridenstine (5-7, sr.); OH Kyleigh Becker 5-6, sr.)

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