Volleyball 2012: Teams to watch

Area volleyball teams to watch for the 2012 season:

CEDAR RAPIDS KENNEDY

Coach -- Michelle Goodall (14th year at Kennedy, 322-171)

2011 record -- 30-10

2011 postseason -- Class 4A state semifinalist. Lost to eventual champion Iowa City West in five games.

Returning starters (4) -- MB Jordan Calef (sr.), OH Breanna Boote (sr.), MB Lexi Rogers (sr.), OH Erin Coker (jr.)

IOWA CITY HIGH

Coach -- Craig Pitcher (11th year at City, 332-72; 17th year overall, 443-142)

2011 record -- 40-4

2011 postseason -- Class 4A state runner-up. Lost to Iowa City West in five games.

Returning starters (4) -- MB Abby Saehler (sr.), OH Liz Hubing (sr.), OH Rachel Rinehart (sr.), OH Michaela Nelson (jr.)

IOWA CITY WEST

Coach -- Kathy Bresnahan (21st year at West, 537-159; 25th year overall, 625-180)

2011 record -- 39-6

2011 postseason -- Class 4A state champion. Beat Cedar Rapids Kennedy and Iowa City High in five sets in semifinals and championship.

Returning starters (1) -- OH Mollie Mason (jr.)

MAQUOKETA

Coach -- Jill Schawl (6th year, 80-70)

2011 record -- 32-6

2011 postseason -- Class 3A state qualifier. Lost to Waverly-Shell Rock in quarterfinals.

Returning starters (5) -- DS Nicole Snyder (sr.), MB Allison Vandemore (jr.), OH Aubree Taylor (jr.), S Marlee Lindstrom (sr.), OH Devon O'Connell (sr.)

SOLON

Coach -- Peter Gustin (1st year)

2011 record -- 32-2

2011 postseason -- Class 3A state qualifier. Lost to Union in the quarterfinals.

Returning starters (6) -- DS Allison Kral (sr.), DS Rylee Smith (jr.), OH Taylor Hoskyn (sr.), MB Kelsey Cave (sr.), S Emma Rickels (sr.), OH Kelsey Hinrichs (OH)

UNION

Coach -- Brian Jesse (3rd year at Union, 63-15; 7th year overall)

2011 record -- 33-8

2011 postseason -- Class 3A state semifinalist. Upset Solon in quarterfinals, then bowed to eventual champ Waverly-Shell Rock in three competitive sets.

Returning starters (3) -- MB Payton Hilton (sr.), OH Brenna Allen (jr.), OH Sam Barz (sr.)

WEST DELAWARE

Coach -- Brett Mather (17th year at WD, 510-118; 19th year overall, 539-138)

2011 record -- 37-7

2011 postseason -- Class 3A regional finalist; lost to eventual state champion Waverly-Shell Rock

Returning starters (3) -- MB Leslie Hoffman (sr.), OH Cassie Vaske (sr.), OH/S Emily Thole (soph.)

WEST LIBERTY

Coach -- Melissa Brockway (1st year)

2011 record -- 27-11

2011 postseason -- Class 2A state qualifier. Lost to Dike-New Hartford in the quarterfinals.

Returning starters (5) -- DS Haley Simon (sr.), MB Kristi Feldman (sr.), MB Kennedy Simon (sr.), DS Molly Kelly (soph.), OH Marissa Kelly (sr.)