Linn-Mar leads preseason area volleyball Super 10

The high school volleyball season begins with practice statewide Monday. In honor of that, here's a preseason area Super 10.

1.

Linn-Mar

2016: 33-9, 5A state qualifier

2016: 33-9, 5A state qualifier

The Lions got a taste of the big-time last year, winning a divisional title and the Mississippi Valley Conference tournament, but it ended it bitter fashion at the U.S. Cellular Center — a five-set loss to Ankeny after winning the first two. Division-I recruits Carly Spies (UNI) and Megan Renner (Purdue) are back, and Teresa Kehe's crew is primed for even bigger things this fall.

 

2.

Cedar Rapids Xavier

2016: 32-10, 4A state semifinalist

2016: 32-10, 4A state semifinalist

The Saints shot out of the gate in Austin Filer's first season, winning their first 18 matches. First-team all-state pick Charlotte Richards is back after averaging more than 4 kills per set, and there's plenty of other offensive weapons around her, notably Ellie McDermott and Akeela Jefferson. Don't be surprised to see the Saints atop the 4A preseason rankings.

 

3.

Center Point-Urbana

2016: 24-16, 3A regional semifinalist

2016: 24-16, 3A regional semifinalist

At first glance, this appears a little high. But the Stormin' Pointers have one of the area's best go-to hitters in Abigail Weideman, and plenty to go around her. CPU will be among the elite in the Wamac Conference and will adjust quite well to Class 4A come tournament time.

 

4.

Springville

2016: 29-8, 1A state semifinalist

2016: 29-8, 1A state semifinalist

The same cast that has lifted Springville to state glory in basketball (Mikayla Nachazel, Rylee Menster, Alyssa Jaeger and Madi Wagaman, among others) looks to send the Orioles to similar heights on the Sport Court in Cedar Rapids. The gap between this club and the rest of the Tri-Rivers is wide indeed.

 

5.

Starmont

2016: 32-9, 1A state qualifier

2016: 32-9, 1A state qualifier

Inch for inch, this is as skilled a team as anybody in the area. The Stars made the first state appearance in school history last season, and did it with youth (six sophomore starters) and a lack of size (nobody taller than 5-foot-9, and only one taller than 5-7). If they don't draw Janesville or Springville in their region, a state return is likely.

 

6.

Marion

2016: 34-10, 4A state qualifier

2016: 34-10, 4A state qualifier

Gone is Isabelle Sade from the 2016 Wamac Conference tournament champion, and the Indians will have to find some punch at the net. But Marion has a whiz of a setter in Drake University recruit Caitlyn Smith, and this team will improve steadily as the year progresses.

 

7.

Cedar Rapids Jefferson

2016: 18-18, 5A regional semifinalist

2016: 18-18, 5A regional semifinalist

The J-Hawks are poised to make the transition from MVC middle-of-the-packer to a bona fide contender. Since last season ended, hitter Maddie Slagle committed to the University of Iowa, and libero Kaylee Donner chose UNI. No more building for the future. The talent is there, and it's time to climb now.

 

8.

Tipton

2016: 25-10, 2A regional semifinalist

2016: 25-10, 2A regional semifinalist

A year after earning a share of the River Valley Conference South Division title, the Tigers are the clear favorite — overall — in the RVC. Sophomore Sommer Daniel can do it all, averaging 3.5 kills and 4.6 assists per set as a rookie. Tipton is up a class to 3A, and perfectly equipped to handle it.

 

9.

West Delaware

2016: 42-5, 4A regional finalist

2016: 42-5, 4A regional finalist

We may look back in November and say we shortchanged the Hawks. Sophomore Macey Kleitsch is the next great setter, and though graduation zapped the back row, one of Brett Mather's greatest strengths is to assemble defensive talent and schemes. Again, this seems low. Don't sleep on the Hawks. Ever.

 

10.

Independence

2016: 30-10, 4A regional semifinalist

2016: 30-10, 4A regional semifinalist

There's a giant hole to fill with the graduation of Kaitlin Niedert. But literally everybody else is back, and the Mustangs could challenge CPU and Marion in the Wamac West. Indee will be quite good in 2017, and very, very good in 2018.

 

CLASS RANKINGS

Class 5A — 1. Linn-Mar (33-9), 2. Cedar Rapids Jefferson (18-18), 3. Iowa City West (23-15), 4. Iowa City High (20-14), 5. Cedar Rapids Prairie (22-15).

Class 4A — 1. Cedar Rapids Xavier (32-10), 2. Center Point-Urbana (24-16), 3. Marion (34-10), 4. Independence (30-10), 5. Clear Creek Amana (21-20).

Class 3A — 1. Tipton (25-10), 2. West Delaware (42-5), 3. Mount Vernon (34-8), 4. Dyersville Beckman (27-10), 5. Monticello (15-15).

Class 2A — 1. Jesup (21-14), 2. Belle Plaine (18-11), 3. Highland (22-12), 4. Maquoketa Valley (14-13), 5. North Cedar (34-6).

Class 1A — 1. Springville (29-8), 2. Starmont (32-9), 3. Montezuma (27-9), 4. Iowa Valley (21-15), 5. Cedar Valley Christian (14-15).

l Comments: (319) 368-8857; jeff.linder@thegazette.com