Iowa high school volleyball 2021 preseason rankings: The Gazette’s Top 10s for all 5 classes

And so it begins. Another cycle of high school sports.

The 2021-22 calendar starts Monday in Iowa with fall practices, including volleyball.

The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union will release its preseason rankings sometime in the next two weeks. Monday, The Gazette releases its version.

It’s the first time we have posted preseason volleyball rankings; we’ve done it in girls’ basketball for the better part of 25 years.

The method is mostly mathematical, using the percentage of returning kills, assists and digs, along with last year’s record, for 2020 state-tournament teams and those ranked in the final top 20 in each class by Varsity Bound’s power index.

Then, we adjusted a bit based on classification change, tradition and strength of schedule.

Competition begins in two weeks and culminates with the state tournament Nov. 1-4 at the Alliant Energy PowerHouse.

In the meantime, here’s something to chew on:

Class 5A

REWIND TO 2020

After surviving a five-set semifinal with Pleasant Valley, Ankeny topped Iowa City Liberty in the championship match for its fifth title, its first since 2009. Liberty advanced with a five-set triumph over top-rated West Des Moines Dowling.

THE CO-FAVORITES

Give Pleasant Valley an ever-so-slight edge over Liberty. The Spartans return seven of their top nine players, including kill leader Chloe Cline and setter Kora Ruff. The Lightning welcome back junior Cassidy Hartman, an Elite all-state selection, and four other starters.

THE CHALLENGERS

Both of Ankeny’s teams are title contenders. Ankeny High brings back top attacker Ava Reynolds, and Centennial has virtually all of its top offensive players back, led by the trio of Monica Mirembe, Marissa Meyer and Olivia Anderson. Cedar Falls can never be overlooked, and West Des Moines Valley has one of the nation’s top players in Nebraska commit Hayden Kubik.

THE LOCALS

Liberty is far and away the cream of the crop among area 5A teams. Iowa City West and Cedar Rapids Kennedy both finished a shade below .500 last year, but should be significantly improved and are worthy of top-10 preseason consideration.

LINDER’S TOP 10

1. Pleasant Valley (21-2, 5A state semifinalist)

2. Iowa City Liberty (24-3, 5A state runner-up)

3. Ankeny (22-2, 5A state champion)

4. Ankeny Centennial (16-10, 5A state qualifier)

5. Cedar Falls (26-6, 5A state qualifier)

6. West Des Moines Valley (19-7, 5A state qualifier)

7. Johnston (19-15, 5A regional finalist)

8. Urbandale (11-8, 5A regional finalist)

9. Iowa City West (13-15, 5A regional semifinalist)

10. Cedar Rapids Kennedy (15-16, 5A regional semifinalist)

Class 4A

REWIND TO 2020

After a choppy regular season, Cedar Rapids Xavier put it all together in the postseason, sweeping its way to the 4A title. That run included straight-set state wins over Dallas Center-Grimes, Western Dubuque and West Delaware.

THE CO-FAVORITES

Had this list been compiled last November, it would have been led by Sergeant Bluff-Luton and West Delaware. But those teams have been reassigned to 3A, so we’ll get to them later.

As it stands now, there’s a small gap between North Scott and Western Dubuque and the rest of the pack. The Lancers have their top four attackers back (led by Ella McLaughlin), as well as both of their setters. Western Dubuque was the 2019 runner-up before settling for the semifinals last year, and brings back weapons Maddie Harris, Meredith Bahl and Libby Lansing, with setter Madison Maahs back to run the attack.

THE CHALLENGERS

The next level of teams had their 2020 seasons end before state. That includes Waverly-Shell Rock, which suffered a stunning straight-set regional-final loss to Gilbert. Oskaloosa was a regional finalist and graduated nobody. Pella brings back nearly all of its roster.

THE LOCALS

Xavier was hit hard by graduation after its championship run, but shed no tears for the Saints. Their middles (Maya Karl and Anika Ivester) can match up with anybody. Marion has a pair of unique setter/hitters in Avery Van Hook and Elise Mehaffy. The return of Calia Clubb makes Clear Creek Amana a state-tournament hopeful.

LINDER’S TOP 10

1. North Scott (22-5, 4A state qualifier)

2. Western Dubuque (25-10, 4A state semifinalist)

3. Waverly-Shell Rock (38-9, 4A regional finalist)

4. Oskaloosa (21-8, 4A regional finalist)

5. Pella (23-12, 4A regional semifinalist)

6. Lewis Central (19-7, 4A regional finalist)

7. Cedar Rapids Xavier (26-6, 4A state champion)

8. Marion (21-12, 4A regional finalist)

9. Clear Creek Amana (25-6, 4A regional semifinalist)

10. Clinton (17-13, 4A regional semifinalist)

Class 3A

REWIND TO 2020

Osage was as impressive as anybody in any class last year at state, culminating a brilliant run with a sweep of 2019 champion Mount Vernon in the finals. The Green Devils are in 2A now, and the Mustangs suffered massive graduation losses.

THE CO-FAVORITES

Led by hitters Emma Salker and Addy Mosier, Sergeant Bluff-Luton returns nearly intact after reaching the 4A state quarterfinals last year; the Warriors lost a grueling five-setter to Western Dubuque. The 4A runner-up in 2020, West Delaware also is down a class. The Hawks welcome back their setter (Carlee Smith), an all-state libero (Ella Koloc) and weapons Alivia Schulte and Allie Demmer.

THE CHALLENGERS

Unity Christian returns half of its six starters from a state-qualifying squad, and those three — hitters Gracie Schoonhoven and Jenna Bouma, and setter Emma Byker — are top shelf. Junior hitter Ava Schubert gives 2020 semifinalist Davenport Assumption the top returning offensive player in 3A.

THE LOCALS

West Liberty boasts one of the area’s top all-around athletes in senior Macy Daufeldt, and the Comets are in pursuit of their fourth state appearance in the last eight seasons. Union Community and Independence were regional-final combatants last year (the Knights prevailed), and could meet again with a state berth on the line. Mount Vernon is in reload mode after advancing to 12 of the last 14 state tourneys.

LINDER’S TOP 10

1. Sergeant Bluff-Luton (23-7, 4A state qualifier)

2. West Delaware (30-12, 4A state runner-up)

3. Unity Christian (23-6, 3A state qualifier)

4. Davenport Assumption (23-3, 3A state semifinalist)

5. Red Oak (30-5, 3A state qualifier)

6. West Liberty (26-7, 3A regional finalist)

7. West Burlington (18-4, 3A regional quarterfinalist)

8. Independence (25-8, 3A regional finalist)

9. Sheldon (15-14, 3A regional finalist)

10. Union Community (31-10, 3A state qualifier)

Class 2A

REWIND TO 2020

Dike-New Hartford and Western Christian have combined for the last 11 2A titles, and the pendulum swung DNH’s way last year. Western made its 20th straight semifinal before getting upset by Denver, and DNH handled its NICL rival in a straight-set final.

THE FAVORITE

Class 2A is the deepest of the five classes, and yet Dike-New Hartford is the heaviest of the five favorites. The Wolverines are loaded for the long run, bringing back all seven starters, including sophomore twins Payton and Jadyn Petersen. DNH will be one of Iowa’s best teams, in any class.

THE CHALLENGERS

If Dike-New Hartford is slowed by injury or complacency, there’s a long list of potential contenders. Western Christian has a tradition like no other, so the Wolfpack’s earlier-than-usual elimination was a stunner. Their semifinal victor, Denver loses only one starter and has four prolific hitters back. Wilton welcomes back its entire roster, led by Kelsey Drake. Three other state qualifiers — Sumner-Fredericksburg, Boyden-Hull and South Hardin — return nearly intact. Wapsie Valley is up from 1A, and Osage and Carroll Kuemper are down from 3A.

THE LOCALS

Tradition-rich Dyersville Beckman has a star in Kiersten Schmitt, and carries the banner as the area’s top 2A team. The Blazers are a potential top-10 squad.

LINDER’S TOP 10

1. Dike-New Hartford (32-4, 2A state champion)

2. Wilton (33-4, 2A state semifinalist)

3. Denver (35-6, 2A state runner-up)

4. Western Christian (33-10, 2A state semifinalist)

5. Sumner-Fredericksburg (27-8, 2A state qualifier)

6. Boyden-Hull (24-8, 2A state qualifier)

7. Wapsie Valley (20-7, 1A state qualifier)

8. South Hardin (22-15, 2A state qualifier)

9. Carroll Kuemper (21-11, 3A regional semifinalist)

10. Osage (34-2, 3A state champion)

Class 1A

REWIND TO 2020

The midseason eligibility of twins Josie and Jenna Bentz triggered a late run by Burlington Notre Dame, which won its last 15 matches after a 5-5 start and captured the state title in its first appearance.

THE FAVORITE

Led by the Bentzes, six starters are back for Notre Dame. Gabby Deery and Katy Stephens provide additional offensive firepower.

THE CHALLENGERS

Springville has been to state four of the last five years, and is after its first appearance in the finals. The Orioles have an all-state setter in Nia Howard, and a talented array of hitters led by Lauren Wilson. Le Mars Gehlen has qualified for state 11 of the last 12 years and has six of its top nine players back, three of which counted more than 100 kills. The 2020 runner-up. Gladbrook-Reinbeck lost star Saari Kuehl to graduation, but most of the other key Rebels are back. A difficult schedule will steel Council Bluffs St. Albert for a postseason run.

THE LOCALS

Lisbon should be the area’s next best team after Springville. The Lions were Tri-Rivers Conference tournament champions last year and have the majority of their arsenal back.

LINDER’S TOP 10

1. Burlington Notre Dame (19-5, 1A state champion)

2. Springville (27-5, 1A state qualifier)

3. Le Mars Gehlen (25-6, 1A state semifinalist)

4. Gladbrook-Reinbeck (34-3, 1A state runner-up)

5. New London (22-8, 1A state qualifier)

6. Council Bluffs St. Albert (15-14, 1A state semifinalist)

7. Southeast Warren (25-1, 1A regional finalist)

8. Newell-Fonda (27-4, 1A regional finalist)

9. Lisbon (26-5, 1A regional semifinalist)

10. Tripoli (18-14, 1A regional second round)

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com