Prep volleyball: Teams, individuals to watch

A list of players and individuals that are likely to have an impact this volleyball season.

Cedar Rapids Xavier

• Coach: Barb Brunow (2nd year, 20-19)
• 2009: 20-19; advanced to state tournament, losing to eventual champion Ankeny in Class 4A quarterfinals.
• Returning starters: OH Moleigh Ryther (5-11, sr.), OH Tyler Sampson (5-11, sr.), MB Alex Saxen (5-11, sr.), MB Kelly Biermann (6-0, jr.), OH Rachel Swanke (5-9, sr.), DS Bailey Kaloupek (5-6, sr.)

Iowa City West

• Coach: Kathy Bresnahan (19th year at West, 462-146; overall, 549-167)
• 2009: 39-3; Class 4A state runner-up to Ankeny.
• Returning starters: OH Alli O'Deen (5-11, sr.), MB Olivia Fairfield (5-11, jr.), S/DS Caroline Found (5-8, jr.), MB Lexi Potter (5-11, sr.), DS Katie Kelley (5-6, sr.)

Linn-Mar

• Coach: Rob Justis (3rd year, 47-34)
• 2009: 26-15; Advanced to state tournament, losing to Iowa City West in Class 4A quarterfinals.
• Returning starters: OH Kiah Stokes (6-3, sr.), OH Claire Meyer (5-10, sr.)

Mount Vernon

• Coach: Shirley Ryan (37th year, 788-331)
• 2009: 43-1; Class 2A state champion
• Returning starters: S Sarah Ryan (5-7, sr.), OH Amanda Platte (6-0, sr.), OH Ali Stark (6-1, sr.), MB Courtney Kintzel (6-1, sr.), DS Kylea Weber (5-6, sr.)

West Delaware

• Coach: Brett Mather (15th year at West Delaware, 431-107; 17th year overall, 451-127)
• 2009: 35-9; Lost in 3A regional final to Dubuque Wahlert.
• Returning starters: MB Allison Pasker (5-9, sr.), OH Brooke Engelken (5-6, sr.), OH Rayne Cook (5-9, jr.), MB Jessica McDonald (5-8, sr.), OH Mackenzie Harbaugh (5-7, jr.), S Jenna Hermsen (5-6, sr.)

Williamsburg

• Coach: Emily Nordheim (6th year, 120-53)
• 2009: 27-12; Class 3A state semifinalist, losing to eventual champion Waverly-Shell Rock.
• Returning starters: OH Katherine Wetjen (5-9, soph.), OH Mackenzie Bigbee (6-1, jr.), OH Lexi Belland (5-9, sr.)

PLAYERS

• Meridyth Bates, sr., Iowa Mennonite, Class 1A 3rd-team all state
• Mackenzie Bigbee, jr., Williamsburg, 3A 2nd-team all-state
• Jenna Hermsen, sr., West Delaware, 3A 3rd-team all-state
• Katie Kelley, sr., Iowa City West, 4A 3rd-team all-state
• Courtney Kintzel, sr., Mount Vernon, 2A 1st-team all-state
• Alexus Litts, sr., Cedar Rapids Kennedy, 4A 3rd team all-state
• Alli O'Deen, sr., Iowa City West, 4A 2nd-team all-state
• Allison Pasker, sr., West Delaware, 3A 2nd-team all-state
• Amanda Platte, sr., Mount Vernon, 2A 2nd-team all-state
• Sarah Ryan, sr., Mount Vernon, 2A 3rd-team all-state
• Ali Stark, sr., Mount Vernon, Elite/2A 1st-team all-state
• Kiah Stokes, sr., Linn-Mar, 4A 2nd-team all-state
• Bri Winegar, sr., Solon, 2A 3rd-team all-state