Volleyball 2013: Top teams/players

 

AREA VOLLEYBALL TEAMS TO WATCH FOR 2013: 

CEDAR RAPIDS WASHINGTON

Coach – Amy Faulkner (1st year, 0-0)

2012 record – 27-14

2012 postseason – Class 5A regional finalist

Returning starters (4) – DS Alisa Gerhold (5-6, sr.); OH Dani Franklin (6-0, sr.); OH Kellie Walters (5-11, sr.); OH Aleena Hobbs (5-9, sr.) 

CEDAR RAPIDS XAVIER

Coach – Krista Johnson (1st year, 0-0)

2012 record – 26-12

2012 postseason – Class 4A state qualifier

Returning starters (3) – L Halle Heying (5-4, sr.); MH Kara Zwanziger (6-0, sr.); OH Kayla Torson (5-11, jr.) 

IOWA CITY HIGH

Coach – Craig Pitcher (18th year, 466-149; 12th year at City High, 365-79)

2012 record – 31-9

2012 postseason – Class 5A state runner-up

Returning starters (2) – S Ruth Grace (5-8, sr.); OH Michaela Nelson (5-10, sr.) 

IOWA CITY WEST

Coach – Kathy Bresnahan (26th year, 645-197; 22nd year at West, 557-176)

2012 record – 20-17

2012 postseason – Class 5A regional semifinalist

Returning starters (7) – DS Madi Miller (5-3, jr.); MH Mikaela Morgan (5-10, jr.); OH Hannah Fairfield (5-10, sr.); OH Toni Martins (5-6, sr.); S Lizzy Klemme (5-7, sr.); OH Mollie Mason (5-11, sr.); MH/S Laynie Whitehead (6-2, jr.) 

MOUNT VERNON

Coach – Maggie Willems (3rd year, 46-30)

2012 record – 28-11

2012 postseason – Class 3A state semifinalist

Returning starters (4) – S Morgan Melchert (5-8, jr.); MH Alli Platte* (5-10, jr.); OH Emma Cochrane (5-9, jr.); MH Hannah Whitley (5-10, sr.)*injured, torn ACL 

SOLON

Coach – Peter Gustin (2nd year, 33-5)

2012 record – 33-5

2012 postseason – Class 4A state runner-up

Returning starters (4) – L Rylee Smith (5-2, sr.); OH Jordan Smith (5-10, jr.); OH Jordan Runge (6-0, jr.); MH Vikolia Meade (5-10, sr.) 

UNION

Coach – Brian Jesse (4th year at Union, 96-21; 7th year overall)

2012 record – 35-8

2012 postseason – Class 3A state runner-up

Returning starters (5) – OH Brenna Allen (5-9, sr.); MH Maria Wrage (5-11, jr.); OH Jena Boisen (5-9, sr.); L Breann Bader (5-6, sr.); S Lauren Barz (5-6, sr.) 

WEST DELAWARE

Coach – Brett Mather (19th year at West Delaware, 541-130; overall, 570-151)

2012 record – 31-12

2012 postseason – Class 4A state qualifier

Returning starters (5) – OH Carlee Ketchum (5-7, soph.); OH Emily Thole (5-8, jr.); S Maddie Coates (5-4, sr.); L Reeann McCarty (5-9, sr.); OH Paige Soppe (5-8, sr.) 

 

PLAYERS TO WATCH

L BREANN BADER, sr., Union -- Averaged 4.36 digs per game with 70 aces; Class 3A 3rd-team all-state.

S LAUREN BARZ, sr., Union -- Averaged 10.0 assists per game, served 94.9 percent with 76 aces; Class 3A 2nd-team all-state.

OH DANI FRANKLIN, sr., Cedar Rapids Washington -- Averaged 2.63 kills and 2.72 digs per game with a .359 kill efficiency; 1st-team all-MVC.

OH MOLLIE MASON, sr., Iowa City West -- Averaged 2.41 kills and 2.77 digs per game with a .297 kill efficiency; 1st-team all-MVC.

S MORGAN MELCHERT, jr., Mount Vernon -- Averaged 8.61 assists and 2.31 digs per game, served 94.7 percent; Class 3A 2nd-team all-state.

OH MICHAELA NELSON, sr., Iowa City High -- Averaged 2.94 kills and 3.4 digs per game, .324 kill efficiency, served 96.3 percent; Class 5A 1st-team all-state.

S AMANDA SAHM, jr., Marion -- Averaged 8.50 assists and 2.26 digs per game, 93.6-percent server; Class 4A honorable mention all-state.

OH JORDAN SMITH, jr., Solon -- Averaged 2.80 kills per game with a .245 kill efficiency; Class 4A honorable mention all-state.

L RYLEE SMITH, sr., Solon -- Averaged 4.08 digs per game and served 93.7 percent; Class 4A honorable mention all-state.

OH KAYLA TORSON, jr., Cedar Rapids Xavier -- Averaged 3.89 kills and 2.49 digs per game with a .408 kill efficiency, 96.6-percent server; Class 4A 2nd-team all-state.

MH HANNAH WHITLEY, sr., Mount Vernon -- Averaged .244 kills and 0.70 blocks per game with a .327 kill efficiency, 96.3-percent server; Class 3A 3rd-team all-state.