Iowa high school volleyball 2023: Area teams to watch, and preseason Super Ten

Eight area volleyball teams to watch for the 2023 Iowa high school season:

Cedar Rapids Xavier

Coach: Amy Weiland (1st year, 0-0)

2022 record: 33-4 overall, 5-1 MVC Mississippi (2nd)

2022 postseason: Class 4A state champion

Returning starters (3): OH Carley Jonker (5-11, jr.), OH Libby Fandel (6-0, jr.), MH Ava Turner (6-2, sr.)

Clear Creek Amana

Coach: Jackie Clubb (10th year, 238-123)

2022 record: 34-11 overall, 5-0 Wamac West (1st)

2022 postseason: Class 4A state runner-up

Returning starters (7): S Ashlyn Pitcher (5-9, sr.), L Meg Berkland (5-2, sr.), MH Bliss Beck (6-2, sr.), S Emily Henderson (5-5, soph.), MH Sam Schrage (5-8, sr.), OH Addison Gisleson (5-7, sr.), OH Averie Lower (5-10, soph.)

Iowa City Liberty

Coach: Allie Kelly (3rd year, 67-13)

2022 record: 33-8 overall, 6-0 MVC Mississippi Division (1st)

2022 postseason: Class 5A state champion

Returning starters (2): OH Gracie Hennings (5-10, sr.), S Asta Hildebrand (5-11, jr.)

Marion

Coach: Roxanne Paulsen (20th year at Marion, 586-226; 24th year overall, 612-287)

2022 record: 35-7 overall, 3-1 Wamac East (2nd)

2022 postseason: Class 4A state qualifier

Returning starters (3): OH Sophia Paulsen (5-9, sr.), L Natalee Hartman (5-7, sr.), MH Michaela Goad (6-2, sr.)

Mount Vernon

Coach: Maggie Willems (13th year, 352-132)

2022 record: 34-6 overall, 4-0 Wamac East (1st)

2022 postseason: Class 3A state semifinalist

Returning starters (3): DS Jaden Rolland (5-2, jr.), OH Brooke Ellyson (5-8, sr.), OH Chloe Meester (6-2, jr.)

Solon

Coach: Mikayla Siddell (2nd year, 26-13)

2022 record: 26-13 overall, 1-3 Wamac East (4th)

2022 postseason: Class 3A regional finalist

Returning starters (5): DS Kennedey Whitford (5-5, soph.), OH/DS Aly Stahle (5-3, jr.), MH/OH Grace Erwin (5-10, jr.), MH/OH Yasmine Sell (5-10, jr.), S Brynn Deike (5-8, sr.)

Union Community

Coach: Brian Jesse (14th year at Union, 390-150; 17th year overall)

2022 record: 42-10 overall, 3-1 NICL East (2nd)

2022 postseason: Class 3A state qualifier

Returning starters (5): S Avery Knoop (5-7, jr.), OH Gracie Klima (5-9, sr.), MH Sydney Schmuecker (6-0, sr.), L Ava Mehlert (5-6, sr.), MH Dena Robb (6-2, sr.)

West Liberty

Coach: Ruben Galvan (23nd year at West Liberty; 27th year overall)

2022 record: 31-8 overall, 6-0 River Valley South (1st)

2022 postseason: Class 3A state qualifier

Returning starters (4): OH Sophie Buysse (5-7, jr.), OH Rilee Han (5-10, sr.), OH Laney Emoil (5-7, sr.), MH Maelyn Wainwright (6-0, sr.)

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The Gazette’s preseason Super Ten

1. Clear Creek Amana (34-11 in 2022, 4A state runner-up)

2. Iowa City Liberty (33-8, 5A state champion)

3. Cedar Rapids Xavier (33-4, 4A state champion)

4. Union Community (42-10, 3A state qualifier)

5. Mount Vernon (34-6, 3A state semifinalist)

6. Marion (35-7, 4A state qualifier)

7. West Liberty (31-8, 3A state qualifier)

8. Solon (26-13, 3A regional finalist)

9. Iowa City High (17-16, 5A regional semifinalist)

10. Linn-Mar (18-17, 5A regional semifinalist)

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com