Volleyball 2011: Area teams to watch

Six area high school volleyball teams to watch for the 2011 season:

CEDAR RAPIDS KENNEDY

Coach -- Michelle Goodall (13th year at Kennedy, 290-160; 21st year overall)

2010 record -- 35-8

2010 postseason -- Advanced to Class 4A semifinals; lost to Iowa City West.

Returning starters (3) -- S/OH Allie Hutcheson (6-1, sr.), OH Erin Coker (5-9, soph.), OH Ashlyn Milbrath (5-11, sr.)

IOWA CITY HIGH

Coach -- Craig Pitcher (10th year at City, 288-67; 390-135 overall)

2010 record -- 33-6

2010 postseason -- Advanced to Class 4A regional finals; lost to Cedar Rapids Xavier.

Returning starters (3) -- S Erin Muir (5-6, sr.), MB Elizabeth Hubing (5-9, jr.), OH Michaela Nelson (5-9, soph.)

IOWA CITY WEST

Coach -- Kathy Bresnahan (20th year at West, 586-174; 24th year overall, 498-153)

2010 record -- 38-7

2010 postseason -- Class 4A state champion; defeated Ankeny in the final.

Returning starters (3) -- DS Olivia Mekies (5-6, sr.), OH Shelly Stumpff (6-0, sr.), MB Olivia Fairfield (6-0, sr.)

UNION

Coach -- Brian Jesse (2nd year at Union, 30-7; 5th year overall)

2010 record -- 30-7

2010 postseason -- Class 3A state quarterfinalist; lost to Waverly-Shell Rock.

Returning starters (6) -- DS Tori Zempel (5-4, sr.), OH Sam Barz (5-10, jr.), S Sara Jesse (5-8, sr.), MB Payton Hilton (5-11, jr.), OH Casey Barney (5-8, sr.), S Jayme Ollendieck (5-7, sr.)

WEST DELAWARE

Coach -- Brett Mather (16th year at WD, 473-111; 18th year overall, 502-131)

2010 record -- 41-4

2010 postseason -- Class 3A state runner-up; lost to Mount Vernon in the final. 

Returning starters (2) -- OH Mackenzie Harbaugh (5-6, sr.), DS Amanda Bries (5-4, sr.)

WILLIAMSBURG

Coach -- Emily Nordheim (7th year, 144-61)

2010 record -- 25-10

2010 postseason -- Class 3A state quarterfinalist; lost to West Delaware.

Returning starters (4) -- MB Lily Lower (6-1, sr.), OH Mackenzie Bigbee (6-1, sr.), OH Jamie Knock (5-9, sr.), OH Katherine Wetjen (5-9, jr.)