New standouts emerging for Independence

Last year, they were the supporting cast. Now, their roles have expanded.

The preliminary reviews are in, and the Independence Mustangs have created an immediate buzz.

'We've got a really good group of kids,' Indee Coach Joe Schmitz said. 'They love volleyball, and they really get after it.'

The Mustangs — ranked No. 11 in the Class 4A preseason rankings — went 6-0 in their home invitational Saturday, topping a field that included Springville and Starmont (both of which return their core from 2016 state-tournament teams) as well as perennial power West Delaware.

With one exception, the Mustangs returned virtually intact from a team that assembled a 30-10 record last year.

One big exception.

First-team all-stater Kaitlin Niedert was the focal point last year, recording nearly half of the Mustangs' kills. She's at Upper Iowa University now.

Somebody had to fill the void. And everybody has.

'A lot of these kids have played a lot of volleyball since last year,' Schmitz said. 'The sophomores are now juniors, and they're a lot more seasoned. We probably have a lot more balanced offense now.'

Madison Larson has moved into the 'go-to' role. The 6-foot junior averaged 4.15 kills per set Saturday, posting a stratospheric .568 kill efficiency (54 kills against eight errors in 81 attempts).

Larson played the middle Saturday, but will likely spend much of her season on the outside.

'We were missing (usual middle) Mackenzie Hupke (out with a softball obligation),' and we'll have her back this week,' Schmitz said.

Abby Meiborg was a defensive specialist last year, but has grown to 5-foot-8 and is averaging 2.31 kills per set with a .397 efficiency.

Setter Holly Cooksley averages 6.31 assists per set; libero Sydney Hearn is at 4.77 digs per set.

The Mustangs open the Wamac Conference West Division schedule with a major challenge Thursday, at No. 8 Center Point-Urbana (7-1).

'They're so big,' Schmitz said of the Stormin' Pointers. 'That could be a matchup problem for us.'

ONCE THROUGH THE ROTATION

• The first volleyball win in Iowa City Liberty history came Saturday at the Charles City tournament. The Lightning defeated Iowa Falls-Alden, 21-16, 11-21, 15-11.

Liberty swept Clear Creek Amana on Tuesday to improve to 2-4.

• Cedar Rapids Washington outlasted Cedar Rapids Kennedy in five sets Tuesday for its first win against a Metro foe since Oct. 20, 2013.

The Warriors (1-1) won 17-15 in the final set.

• North Cedar's Darby Hawtrey picked up the 1,000th kill of her career during play Saturday at the Maquoketa Invitational.

Hawtrey's total stands at 1,040. She led the Knights in kills each of her first three seasons.

• Montezuma (11-1) is the first team in the state to reach double-figures for victories. The Bravettes won four matches Tuesday at home.

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