Iowa high school volleyball 2021: Gazette area teams to watch

Eight area high school volleyball teams to watch for the 2021 season.

Cedar Rapids Xavier

2020 record: 26-6

2020 postseason: Class 4A state champion

Coach: Austin Filer (6th year, 147-42)

Returning starters (3): L Brooklyn Miller (5-9, jr.), MH Maya Karl (5-11, sr.), MH Anika Ivester (6-4, jr.)

Dyersville Beckman

2020 record: 29-10

2020 postseason: Class 2A regional semifinalist

Coach: Todd Troutman (25th year, 607-195)

Returning starters (4): OH Kiersten Schmitt (5-11, sr.), MH Lauren Osterhaus (5-9, sr.), L Olivia Hogan (5-3, sr.), OH Kamryn Klas (5-8, sr.)

Iowa City Liberty

2020 record: 24-3

2020 postseason: Class 5A state runner-up

Co-coaches: Randy Dolson (3rd year at Liberty, 89-41; 36th year overall) and Allie Kelly (1st year, 0-0)

Returning starters (4): MH Shelby Kimm (5-11, jr.), OH Kennedy Daugherty (5-10, jr.), OH Sam Harvey (5-11, sr.), MH Cassidy Hartman (6-0, jr.)

Marion

2020 record: 21-12

2020 postseason: Class 4A regional finalist

Coach: Roxanne Paulsen (18th year at Marion, 521-213; 22nd year overall, 547-274)

Returning starters (3): OH Peyton Johnson (5-7, jr.), S Avery Van Hook (5-9, jr.), S Elise Mehaffy (5-9, sr.)

Springville

2020 record: 27-5

2020 postseason: Class 1A state qualifier

Coach: Claude Howard (9th year at Springville, 220-86)

Returning starters (6): Grace Matus (5-4, sr.), Savannah Nealman (5-7, sr.), Nia Howard (5-6, jr.), Molly Stamp (5-8, jr.), Lauren Wilson (5-11, sr.), Lily Clark (5-11, jr.)

West Delaware

2020 record: 30-12

2020 postseason: Class 4A state runner-up

Coach: Brett Mather (26th year at West Delaware, 799-194; 871-218 overall)

Returning starters (5): S Carlee Smith (5-6, sr.), L Ella Koloc (5-4, sr.), OH Alivia Schulte (5-7, jr.), MH Allie Demmer (5-10, MH), DS Kayla Felton (5-6, sr.)

West Liberty

2020 record: 26-7

2020 postseason: Class 3A regional finalist

Coach: Ruben Galvan

Returning starters (3): DS Rylee Goodale (5-4, jr.), S Brooklyn Buysse (5-5, jr.), OH Macy Daufeldt (5-10, sr.)

Western Dubuque

2020 record: 25-11

2020 postseason: Class 4A state semifinalist

Coach: Megan Scherrman (8th year at Western Dubuque, 126-71; 10th year overall, 163-118)

Returning starters (5): L Ella Meyer (5-4, jr.), OH Meredith Bahl (5-11, sr.), OH Maddie Harris (5-10, sr.), MH Libby Lansing (6-1, jr.), S Madison Maahs (5-8, sr.)

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com