3 defending state volleyball champs open at No. 1

Reigning state champions Ankeny, Mount Vernon and Tripoli are ranked No. 1 in the preseason state volleyball

rankings by the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union.Ankeny (39-1) last year, captured the 4A crown, defeating Iowa City West. The Women of Troy (39-3) open at No. 2. Waterloo East, led by state player of the year Haley Eckerman, is No. 3, followed by Linn-Mar and Cedar Rapids Kennedy. Eight of the top 11 teams are from the Mississippi Valley Conference.Mount Vernon (43-1), the 2009 2A champion, and Waverly-Shell Rock (47-5), the defending 3A champ, are together in 3A this year. the Mustangs get the nod for No. 1; they return three Division-I commitments -- Ali Stark (Illinois), Amanda Platte (Drake) and Courtney Kintzel (UNI).Perennial power Western Christian (38-10) is the top team in 2A; the Wolfpack were semifinalists a year ago. Defending champ Tripoli (37-4) heads the 1A list.