Mount Vernon volleyball team ranked No. 32 in national poll

Prepvolleyball.com ranks Mount Vernon 32nd in its preseason national rankings.The Mustangs were Class 2A state champions last year, finishing with a 43-1 record and a No. 38 national ranking by prepvolleyball.com. They'll play in 3A this year, as will Waverly-Shell Rock, with is the only other Iowa team ranked - the Go-Hawks are No. 72.Here is the website's preseason bio on the Mustangs:32.

Mount Vernon (Iowa) Last year's record: 43-1; 2009 final ranking: 38The Mustangs moved down to Class 2A in 2009 and dominated, crushing Sheldon in the finals for their first title in 25 years. Coach Shirley Ryan loses

Brianna Strong, a big contributor off of the championship team, but a wealth of talent returns for Mount Vernon, which is back in Class 3A for 2010. That includes Mt. Vernon's top four hitters, all of whom stand 6-0 or better.

Ali Stark, a senior lefty, was named MVP of Class 2A a year ago. Stark,

Amanda Platte, Courtney Kintzel and

Taylor Dicus comprise a killing quartet that is the envy of the rest of the state. Ryan's granddaughter,

Sarah Ryan, returns to set her senior year. She made Second Team All State last year and was on three state title teams in the 2009-10 calendar year. Libero

Kylea Weber, a senior, also returns to the starting lineup, while

Jenna Pisarik and

Aubrey Husak are the leading candidates to fill the open OH position with Dicus moving to the middle.