Here’s a few early area winners of the high school volleyball season

True, the sample size remains small.

But some trends are unmistakable, even in oh, say, a week and a half.

That’s where we’re at in the high school volleyball season. Forty unbeatens remain statewide through Tuesday’s matches, including eight from The Gazette’s coverage area.

The Mississippi Valley Conference has begun to take shape — or maybe not — after two rounds of competition, with the other conferences set to begin in the upcoming week.

The biggest area winners of Week 1? Here are five top candidates:

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Iowa City’s resurgence

With the return of Reese Naeve (1,867 career kills and counting), Iowa City Regina figured to build on last year’s state-tournament appearance, and the Regals (6-1) have delivered so far.

Recent Samford University commit Addison Bollier, a junior libero, is averaging 5.0 digs per set.

While Regina’s success is no surprise, both Iowa City West (8-1) and Iowa City Liberty (4-1) have exceeded external expectations.

Coming off a 13-18 campaign, West has won seven straight matches; its only loss was a tight one against reigning Class 5A state champion Pleasant Valley.

The Trojans are blessed with size — first-year coach Jaedynn Evans starts a lineup with 6-foot-4, 6-1 and 6-1 — and experienced youth.

Liberty (15-21 in 2024), on the other hand, is led by junior twins Hadley and Edie Miller, the setter and libero, both of whom stand 5-6.

Also under a new coach (Jessica Hauptmann), the Lightning already have wins against three ranked teams (Cedar Falls, West Des Moines Dowling and Cedar Rapids Xavier).

Iowa City High started a puzzling 0-3, then picked up a four-set win at Dubuque Wahlert on Tuesday.

That brings us to ...

MVC parity party

Unpredictability is the Mississippi Valley Conference champion through two weeks.

Cedar Rapids Kennedy (3-2 overall) did not win a Mississippi Division match in 2024. The Cougars have started this season 2-0 in the league. Xavier (4-4, 0-2), meanwhile, was 6-0 in the division last year.

Kennedy is in sole possession of the division lead heading into next Tuesday’s match at Liberty (4-1, 1-0).

In the Valley Division, Cedar Falls (4-3, 2-0) is the lone team to get through two matches without a loss. Six teams are a step back.

Mid-Prairie

Backcourt wizard Dakota Mitchell has moved on to North Texas, but the Golden Hawks (8-0) might be even better than their 2024 version that reached the 3A state tournament.

All of their first eight matches were best-of-3; four of them went to a deciding Game 3. On the other hand, they swept Pella, the 2024 4A state runner-up.

Senior Jovi Evans is averaging 3.50 kills, 3.80 assists and 3.55 digs per set.

Union Community

The preseason Class 2A rankings are a NICL-fest; nine of the top 15 hail from the North Iowa Cedar League, including the No. 3 Knights (6-0).

Union won five matches (including one over West Delaware, which beat the Knights in the regional finals last year) at the Independence tournament Saturday, then opened NICL East Division play with a five-set win over Jesup on Tuesday.

Sophomore Caitlyn Schneider has taken over the role of setter, and has an array of junior hitters led by Bianca Grimm (4.92 kills per set).

Dyersville Beckman

The Blazers (4-0) aren’t as deep as last year, when they rotated about a dozen players in and out, but they’re still a force, both in the River Valley Conference and in 2A in general.

A trio of Burkles are the dominating force at the net. Senior Ava Burkle is averaging 4.38 kills per set with a .413 efficiency. Sophomores Joy and Jaylin Burkle are next on the Blazers’ hit parade.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com