Iowa high school volleyball 2022: Brackets, predictions, top players and more

CORALVILLE — Farewell, Cedar Rapids. Hello, Coralville.

After 31 years of calling the Five Seasons Center/U.S. Cellular Center/Alliant Energy PowerHouse home (with a couple of years at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena), the state volleyball tournament moves south this year.

Shiny, new Xtream Arena, along the banks of the Iowa River, is the site now.

The format, though, remains the same. Five classes, 40 teams, four days.

Ten teams have qualified from The Gazette’s circulation area: Iowa City Liberty in Class 5A, Cedar Rapids Xavier, Marion, Western Dubuque and Clear Creek Amana in 4A, Mount Vernon, West Liberty and Union Community in 3A, and Springville and North Tama in 1A.

Action begins at noon Monday with 5A first-round matches. Class 4A quarterfinals also are Monday, with 3A, 2A and 1A following in a long Tuesday succession.

Class 5A

THE SCHEDULE

Quarterfinals

Monday, noon — No. 1 Iowa City Liberty (30-8) vs. No. 11 Urbandale (16-19)

Monday, 2 p.m. — No. 4 West Des Moines Dowling (31-9) vs. No. 6 Ankeny Centennial (29-9)

Monday, noon — No. 2 Ankeny (35-4) vs. No. 10 West Des Moines Valley (21-20)

Monday, 2 p.m. — No. 3 Pleasant Valley (27-6) vs. No. 7 Waukee Northwest (28-12)

Semifinals

Wednesday, 10 a.m. — Top bracket

Wednesday, 10 a.m. — Bottom bracket

Championship

Thursday, 10 a.m. — Semifinal winners

THE FAVORITE

Iowa City Liberty was ranked No. 1 in the preseason, then suffered five losses before Labor Day, albeit against elite competition. That schedule steeled the Lightning, though, and they have won 14 of their last 15 matches. Cassidy Hartman and Shelby Kimm are four-year starters (and four-year state qualifiers), and the Bolts will be highly motivated after last year’s shocking first-round loss to Johnston. After sharing the head-coaching job with Randy Dolson last year, Allie Kelly is solely in charge this time around. She owns a two-year record of 64-13.

THE LOCALS

Liberty is the only area qualifier. The field consists of six teams from the Central Iowa Metro League, plus Liberty (from the Mississippi Valley Conference) and defending champion Pleasant Valley (from the Mississippi Athletic Conference).

THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH

Lily Dykstra, sr., Urbandale — A 6-foot outside hitter, she leads all 5A hitters at 5.28 kills per set, with a .300 kill efficiency. Also averages 2.22 digs per set. Elite all-state selection in 2021.

Cassidy Hartman, sr., Iowa City Liberty — The 6-foot-1 outside hitter averages 4.89 kills and 3.66 digs per set and hits at a .363 efficiency. Elite all-state selection in 2021.

Halle Vice, sr., Pleasant Valley — Six-foot-1 and an outside hitter, she leads the reigning champs at 2.83 kills per set. 5A first-team all-state selection in 2021.

LINDER’S PREDICTIONS

Quarterfinals

Iowa City Liberty over Urbandale in 3

West Des Moines Dowling over Ankeny Centennial in 5

Ankeny over West Des Moines Valley in 3

Pleasant Valley over Waukee Northwest in 4

Semifinals

Iowa City Liberty over West Des Moines Dowling in 4

Ankeny over Pleasant Valley in 5

Championship

Iowa City Liberty over Ankeny in 5

Class 4A

THE SCHEDULE

Quarterfinals

Monday, 4 p.m. — No. 1 Cedar Rapids Xavier (30-4) vs. No. 14 Sioux City Heelan (24-14)

Monday, 6 p.m. — No. 4 Indianola (37-6) vs. No. 5 Western Dubuque (24-10)

Monday, 4 p.m. — No. 2 North Scott (32-5) vs. No. 11 Bondurant-Farrar (24-10)

Monday, 6 p.m. — No. 3 Marion (35-6) vs. No. 8 Clear Creek Amana (32-10)

Semifinals

Wednesday, noon — Top bracket

Wednesday, noon — Bottom bracket

Championship

Thursday, 12:15 p.m. — Semifinal winners

THE FAVORITE

Cedar Rapids Xavier is in the field for the seventh consecutive year, a run that was highlighted by a 4A championship in 2020. Seniors Anika Ivester (6-4 middle hitter) and Brooklyn Miller (5-9 libero) were starters on that team. Senior Anna Shoger leads 4A in assists, at 10.2 per set. After dropping a set to Waverly-Shell Rock in the regional semifinals, the Saints swept Dallas Center-Grimes in the final. Sophomore Libby Fandel was a key figure in Xavier’s run to the 4A state basketball title last spring. Coach Austin Filer is 208-51 in seven years as head coach.

OTHER LOCALS

Marion upset Xavier in the state quarterfinals last year, and has qualified for the 11th time, the sixth in the past nine years. Senior setter Avery Van Hook was the all-Metro player of the year, and has capable threats in junior Michaela Goad and senior Peyton Johnson. Roxanne Paulsen (19th year at Marion) owns a 591-226 record there and is 617-287 in 22 years overall. The Wolves have 13 wins against 5A competition.

Defending 4A champion Western Dubuque is back, despite losing five starters to graduation. The return of senior all-staters Libby Lansing (6-1 middle blocker) and Ella Meyer (5-4 libero) eased the pain, though, and the Bobcats won the MVC Valley Division championship. They’re at state for the fourth straight year. Coach Megan Scherrman (221-131) is in her 11th year of coaching, including her ninth at Western Dubuque (184-84).

Clear Creek Amana is in the state tournament for the first time since 2014, and the third time overall. The Clippers won the Wamac Conference West Division title, and swept No. 6 West Delaware in the regional final in surprisingly easy fashion, not trailing in Game 1 or Game 3. Junior Bliss Beck is a very good four-sport athlete and a Drake University commit for volleyball. Jackie Clubb is in her ninth year as coach and sports a record of 229-124.

THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH

Bliss Beck, jr., Clear Creek Amana — Six-foot-2 middle hitter averages 3.45 kills per set and owns a .418 kill efficiency. Second in 4A in blocks per set (1.34). Honorable mention all-state in 2021.

Libby Lansing, sr., Western Dubuque — At .474, the 6-foot-1 middle hitter leads 4A in kill efficiency. Averages 3.25 kills and 0.99 blocks per set. Second-team all-state in 2021.

Avery Van Hook, sr., Marion — Part of a 6-2 offense last year, she’s the primary setter now and averaged 8.81 assists per set. At 5-foot-9, she remains a capable hitter and nets 2.22 kills per set. First-team all-state in 2021.

LINDER’S PREDICTIONS

Quarterfinals

Cedar Rapids Xavier over Sioux City Heelan in 3

Western Dubuque over Indianola in 5

North Scott over Bondurant-Farrar in 3

Marion over Clear Creek Amana in 4

Semifinals

Cedar Rapids Xavier over Western Dubuque in 4

Marion over North Scott in 5

Championship

Marion over Cedar Rapids Xavier in 5

Class 3A

THE SCHEDULE

Quarterfinals

Tuesday, 10 a.m. — No. 1 Des Moines Christian (45-5) vs. No. 8 Union Community (42-9)

Tuesday, noon — No. 4 Sioux Center (30-3) vs. No. 5 West Liberty (31-7)

Tuesday, 10 a.m. — No. 2 Davenport Assumption (30-7) vs. No. 7 Osage (29-6)

Tuesday, noon — No. 3 Mount Vernon (34-5) vs. No. 6 Unity Christian (23-9)

Semifinals

Wednesday, 2 p.m. — Top bracket

Wednesday, 2 p.m. — Bottom bracket

Championship

Thursday, 2:30 p.m. — Semifinal winners

THE FAVORITE

Des Moines Christian carries the No. 1 tag and has qualified for the second consecutive year. The Lions were the 8 seed last year and took Davenport Assumption to a fifth set in the quarterfinals. Three starters are back, led by the Lombardi sisters (Olivia is a senior, Gabby a junior). The Lions have suffered only three losses to Iowa teams -- two to 5A opponents, the other to Dike-New Hartford. Matt Thompson coached Grandview Park Baptist (now Grand View Christian) to the 2002 title.

OTHER LOCALS

Led by Wamac Conference East Division player of the year Madeleine Miller, Mount Vernon is in the field for the fifth straight year and the 14th time since 2008. The Mustangs won the Wamac East title, and captured the Wamac tournament for the fourth straight year. Sophomore Chloe Meester is the 3A leader in kills, at 5.18 per set. Mount Vernon alum Maggie Willems is in her 12th season as head coach and owns a mark of 348-130.

River Valley Conference South Division champion West Liberty advanced all the way to the 3A final last year, and has reloaded nicely after the graduation of 2021 state co-player of the year Macy Daufeldt. Seniors Brooklyn Buysse (setter) and Monica Morales (libero) give the Comets a veteran presence. Morales is the 3A leader in digs per set, at 6.58. Ruben Galvan is in his 22nd year as the Comets’ head coach. West Liberty dropped Game 1 of its regional final against Solon, then won three straight to advance.

One of seven North Iowa Cedar League teams to qualify, Union Community is at state for the ninth time since 2010. The Knights have more than doubled their win total from 2021, improving from 20-23 to 42-9. Senior Aubrey Gates ranks second in 3A in kills per set (4.79) and sports an efficiency of .349. Sophomore setter Avery Knopp is third in assists (9.49 per set). Brian Jesse is in his 13th year at Union and owns a career mark of 390-149.

THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH

Gabby Lombardi, jr., Des Moines Christian — The Lions’ setter last year, the 6-footer has shifted to attack mode this season and leads the team in kills, with 3.22 per set. First-team all-state in 2021.

Gracie Schoonhoven, sr., Unity Christian — A 5-foot-10 outside hitter, she leads the Knights in kills (3.42 per set) and digs (1.96 per set). First-team all-state in 2021.

Madeleine Miller, sr., Mount Vernon — A crafty, athletic and tall (6-foot-1) setter, she leads 3A in assists with 10.32 per set. Also fourth on the team in kills and owns a .511 kill efficiency. First-team all-state in 2021.

LINDER’S PREDICTIONS

Quarterfinals

Des Moines Christian over Union Community in 4

West Liberty over Sioux Center in 5

Davenport Assumption over Osage in 4

Mount Vernon over Unity Christian in 3

Semifinals

Des Moines Christian over West Liberty in 5

Mount Vernon over Davenport Assumption in 4

Championship

Mount Vernon over Des Moines Christian in 4

Class 2A

THE SCHEDULE

Quarterfinals

Tuesday, 2 p.m. — No. 1 Dike-New Hartford (42-2) vs. No. 11 Carroll Kuemper (38-4)

Tuesday, 4 p.m. — No. 4 Hinton (26-2) vs. No. 5 Denver (36-10)

Tuesday, 2 p.m. — No. 2 Western Christian (40-5) vs. No. 8 Sumner-Fredericksburg (31-10)

Tuesday, 4 p.m. — No. 3 Wapsie Valley (40-4) vs. No. 7 Eddyville EBF (30-5)

Semifinals

Wednesday, 4 p.m. — Top bracket

Wednesday, 4 p.m. — Bottom bracket

Championship

Thursday, 4:45 p.m. — Semifinal winners

THE FAVORITE

Dike-New Hartford, along with fellow qualifier Western Christian and Dubuque Wahlert (which didn’t make it this year), is a volleyball dynasty. The Wolverines are here for the 15th time in 16 years, the program is making its 32nd trip overall, and DNH is favored to win its 16th championship. If you make the argument that DNH is the best team in any class, consider it valid. Five starters are back from last year’s title team, led by junior twins Payton and Jadyn Petersen.

THE LOCALS

No area teams qualified. Lisbon and Dyersville Beckman were the last two area squads standing, reaching the regional finals.

THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH

Payton Petersen, jr., Dike-New Hartford — A recent commit to ACC powerhouse Louisville, the 5-foot-11 outside hitter can do it all. She delivers 4.43 kills and 2.63 digs per set. First-team all-state in 2021.

Molly Shafer, soph., Eddyville EBF — A 6-foot outside hitter and second-leading attacker in 2A at 5.73 kills per set, also leads the Rockets in digs. First team 3A all-state as a freshman in 2021.

Stella Winterfeld, sr., Western Christian — The 5-9 outside hitter averages 4.40 kills per set, as does teammate Abby VerBurg, for a team that is 30-0 against Iowa competition. First-team all-state in 2021.

LINDER’S PREDICTIONS

Quarterfinals

Dike-New Hartford over Carroll Kuemper in 3

Denver over Hinton in 4

Western Christian over Sumner-Fredericksburg in 4

Wapsie Valley over Eddyville EBF in 4

Semifinals

Dike-New Hartford over Denver in 3

Western Christian over Wapsie Valley in 4

Championship

Dike-New Hartford over Western Christian in 4

Class 1A

THE SCHEDULE

Quarterfinals

Tuesday, 6 p.m. — Springville (37-3) vs. Oakland Riverside (33-5)

Tuesday, 8 p.m. — Ankeny Christian (36-3) vs. Don Bosco (28-12)

Tuesday, 6 p.m. — North Tama (39-4) vs. Ackley AGWSR (18-23)

Tuesday, 8 p.m. — Gladbrook-Reinbeck (32-9) vs. Fort Madison Holy Trinity (29-15)

Semifinals

Wednesday, 6 p.m. — Top bracket

Wednesday, 6 p.m. — Bottom bracket

Championship

Thursday, 7 p.m. — Semifinal winners

THE FAVORITE

Springville very nearly got clipped in its regional final. The Orioles fought their way back from a two-set deficit to survive against New London. Now, with new life, they continue their quest to take that last, triumphant step after finishing second last year. Five starters are back from that team, led by senior all-state setter Nia Howard and a balanced attacking crew. Claude Howard is in his ninth year as head coach and owns a record of 292-93. Springville won the Tri-Rivers Conference West Division title.

OTHER LOCALS

North Tama swept its way through regional play and carries an 18-match winning streak. The Iowa Star Conference South Division champion is making its fourth state appearance in six years, and reached the 1A semifinals last year. Five starters return from that squad, including its top four attackers and all-state setter Jadyn Rausch. Coach Channing Halstead has posted a 214-95 mark in nine seasons at the Traer-based school.

THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH

Megan Cooley, sr., Gladbrook-Reinbeck — The 5-foot-11 middle hitter is second on the team in kills (2.81 per set) and the leader in efficiency (.354) and in blocks (61). Second-team all-state in 2021.

Nia Howard, sr., Springville — A four-year starter at setter, she has recorded more than 3,000 assists in her career. Second among 1A setters with 9.02 assists per set this season, and a capable attacker. First-team all-state in 2021.

Jadyn Rausch, sr., North Tama — Averages 7.68 assists per set, and also is one of four Redhawks with more than 200 kills this season. First-team all-state in 2021.

LINDER’S PREDICTIONS

Quarterfinals

Springville over Oakland Riverside in 4

Ankeny Christian over Don Bosco in 4

North Tama over Ackley AGWSR in 4

Fort Madison Holy Trinity over Gladbrook-Reinbeck in 5

Semifinals

Springville over Ankeny Christian in 5

Fort Madison Holy Trinity over North Tama in 5

Championship

Springville over Fort Madison Holy Trinity in 5

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com