Jeff Linder

Waukon takes 10-game win streak into its opener vs. Waverly-Shell Rock. That’s one of a dozen games highlighted here.

Central Iowa is the center of attention again: Southeast Polk, Ankeny and Dowling are 1-2-3 in The Gazette’s preseason poll.

Among the Class 4A district favorites: Waverly-Shell Rock, North Scott and Cedar Rapids Washington.

The merger of last year’s 3A and 4A makes for an interesting mix; Lewis Central begins on top in our Class 4A poll.

Cedar Rapids Kennedy turned on the throttle in the final two sets of a sweep of Iowa City West.

Our projected standings for area Class 3A districts, including favorites West Delaware, Davenport Assumption and Solon.

Smooth, steady Mid-Prairie could join Iowa City High and West Des Moines Dowling as girls’ cross country teams to win five consecutive state championships.

Led by individual champ Danielle Hostetler, Mid-Prairie is the defending 2A state champion.

Solon (3A) and Tipton (2A) were state runners-up last year and are among the teams to watch this year.

Last year’s runner-up, Harlan is a unanimous choice for No. 1 in The Gazette’s Class 3A preseason poll.

Iowa City Liberty will work under co-coaches Randy Dolson and Allie Kelly in an effort to improve on its 2020 state volleyball runner-up finish.

The IGHSAU released its 2021 preseason volleyball rankings Monday.

Eastern Iowa Class 2A district favorites include Waukon, Camanche and Williamsburg.

Here are eight area volleyball teams to watch in 2021, including Cedar Rapids Xavier, winner of last year’s Class 4A state championship.

Here are 12 Gazette area volleyball players to watch this fall, including, Iowa City Liberty’s Cassidy Hartman, an Elite all-state pick in 2020.