New-look Cougars remain among state's elite

CEDAR RAPIDS -- Rebuilding? Reloading?Rethink that.Yes, a wagonload of talent graduated from the Cedar Rapids Kennedy volleyball program after back-to-back state-semifinal finishes. No, the Cougars haven't dropped off the face of the earth.They haven't even dropped from the list of the big-school elite."It's been a great ride," said Kennedy Coach Michelle Goodall. "The pressure is off, and the kids are having a great time."Kennedy (20-3 overall, 3-1 Mississippi Valley Conference) is rated No. 2 in Class 4A. This after losing veteran players like Kristen Hahn and Haley Brightwell (now on the rosters at Iowa State and Drake, respectively).The names are different. The level of success, so far, has been the same."You never know how the old kids and the new kids are going to mesh," Goodall said. "But the older kids from this group have fostered camaraderie, and there haven't been any funky emotions we've had to battle."Katie Sickelka has emerged as the Cougars' go-to hitter. The senior, who hits from the outside and the middle, is the state leader in kill efficiency (.552) and averages 3.7 kills per game."It's like she never makes (a hitting) error," Goodall said. "She rarely bangs the ball out of bounds. Probably half of her kills have come from well-placed tips."Alexus Litts and Allie Hutcheson have shared setting duties in the Cougars' new 6-2 attack; the duo have combined for 3.9 kills and 10 assists per set.Kristen Huebsch has been a force in the middle, and the Cougars have gotten solid contributions from three youngsters -- sophomores Lexi Rogers and Jordan Calef and freshman Erin Coker.Olivia Meier has taken the libero role and averages 5.4 digs per game.Two of Kennedy's losses have come at the hands of Iowa City High, including one Saturday in the final of the Dubuque Invitational tournament. The Cougars travel to City High (21-3, 4-0) for an important MVC match next Tuesday.

1-vs.-2 likely at WSR InvitationalThe top two teams in Class 3A figure to collide at some point Saturday at the Waverly-Shell Rock Invitational.Regarded by many as the state's top two teams in any class, Mount Vernon and Waverly-Shell Rock are ranked 1-2 in 3A. Mount Vernon won the 2A state title last year while WSR ruled in 3A.Mount Vernon (18-0) is coming off a convincing win over No. 3 West Delaware in a Wamac Conference East Division showdown on Thursday. WSR is 26-0 and has beaten 4A top-rated Ankeny twice.According to prepvolleyball.com, Mount Vernon is rated 12th in the nation while WSR is No. 29.

Tournament brackets: Tuesday, perhapsIowa Girls High School Athletic Union officials said that regional tournament brackets could be released Tuesday.The pairings will be available for viewing at

www.ighsau.org.Regionals begin Oct. 18 in Class 1A, Oct. 19 in 2A, Oct. 25 in 3A and 4A. Regional finals are Nov. 2 in each class.The state tournament is Nov. 10-13 at the U.S. Cellular Center.