The Gazette's 2022 Iowa high school volleyball preseason state rankings

The 2022-23 school year of Iowa high school sports is off and running. Practice opened Monday in multiple fall sports, including volleyball.

Expect preseason volleyball rankings from the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union within the next two weeks. Today, The Gazette releases its version.

The method is mostly mathematical, using the percentage of returning kills, assists and digs, along with last year’s record, for 2021 state-tournament teams and those ranked in the final top 25 in each class by Varsity Bound’s power index.

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

Competition begins Aug. 22 and culminates with the state tournament Oct. 31-Nov. 3 at Xtream Arena in Coralville.

The Gazette’s preseason rankings:

Class 5A

REWIND TO 2021

Pleasant Valley earned its first championship in school history, sweeping Cedar Falls in the title match.

THE FAVORITE

Iowa City Liberty entered last year’s state tournament as the top-ranked team, but was upended in the quarterfinals by Johnston in five sets. The Lightning have another big opportunity this season, bringing back first-team all-staters Cassidy Hartman and Shelby Kimm, both seniors.

THE CHALLENGERS

Perennial power Cedar Falls appears to be the biggest hurdle in Liberty’s title quest. Second-team all-staters Katie Remmert and Nohea Mahi are back for their senior seasons. Don’t rule out a title repeat for Pleasant Valley, which brings back its top two hitters in Halle Vice and Chloe Cline.

THE LOCALS

After Liberty, the next best teams in the area figure to be Cedar Rapids Prairie and Cedar Rapids Kennedy, both of which are borderline preseason top-10 hopefuls. Rachel Combs will lead Prairie on an interim basis this fall; Kennedy earned a share of the MVC Valley Division title last year.

LINDER’S TOP 10

1. Iowa City Liberty (34-5, 5A state qualifier)

2. Cedar Falls (32-9, 5A state runner-up)

3. Pleasant Valley (33-4, 5A state champion)

4. Johnston (28-12, 5A state semifinalist)

5. Ankeny (40-6, 5A state semifinalist)

6. Urbandale (33-9, 5A state qualifier)

7. Waukee Northwest (17-20, 5A regional semifinalist)

8. Sioux City North (22-18, 5A regional semifinalist)

9. Cedar Rapids Prairie (22-14, 5A regional finalist)

10. Bettendorf (16-14, 5A regional semifinalist)

Class 4A

REWIND TO 2021

Western Dubuque capped its third straight state-tournament appearance by winning the championship in straight sets over Waverly-Shell Rock.

THE FAVORITE

While most of last year’s top contenders were hit hard by graduation, Marion returns five starters from a squad that reached the semifinals. Senior Avery Van Hook, a University of South Dakota commit, is the state’s lone returning 4A first-team all-stater. In Van Hook, Peyton Johnson and Michaela Goad, the Wolves bring back their top three attackers from 2021.

THE CHALLENGERS

Sioux City Heelan is the other 2021 state-tourney team that comes back somewhat intact. Five starters are back for the Crusaders, and Lauren LaFleur, Maliyah Hacker and Grace Nelson all listed at 6-foot or taller. West Delaware is back in 4A after winning the 3A title last year, and brings back top hitter Alivia Schulte. Cedar Rapids Xavier is a threat again, and Humboldt could be a dark horse.

THE LOCALS

This is the deepest class, area-wise. We have tabbed five area schools in the top eight, and that doesn’t include defending-champion Western Dubuque. Marion, West Delaware and Xavier are perennial state-tournament teams, and Decorah and Clear Creek Amana might be ready for a breakthrough.

LINDER’S TOP 10

1. Marion (37-9, 4A state semifinalist)

2. Sioux City Heelan (20-17, 4A state qualifier)

3. Humboldt (29-7, 4A regional finalist)

4. West Delaware (43-5, 3A state champion)

5. Cedar Rapids Xavier (29-5, 4A state qualifier)

6. Bondurant-Farrar (32-8, 4A state qualifier)

7. Decorah (28-7, 4A regional finalist)

8. Clear Creek Amana (27-12, 4A regional semifinalist)

9. Knoxville (23-15, 4A regional quarterfinalist)

10. Oskaloosa (31-5, 4A state qualifier)

Class 3A

REWIND TO 2021

The 4A runner-up in 2020, West Delaware bumped down to 3A last year and reigned in a strong, deep 3A field. The Hawks won all three of their state matches in four sets, including the title bout with West Liberty. The Hawks return to 4A this fall.

THE FAVORITE

It’s Mount Vernon, by a healthy margin. Six starters are back from last year’s state-quarterfinal crew, including senior setter Madeleine Miller, a University of New Mexico recruit. Her top target will be sophomore Chloe Meester, a blossoming superstar ready to explode. Meester is one of five returners that collected more than 100 kills last season.

THE CHALLENGERS

Some of the teams that figured to push Mount Vernon have moved to other classes — West Delaware to 4A; Eddyville EBF and West Burlington to 2A. Despite losing state co-player of the year Macy Daufeldt to graduation (she’s at Drake now), West Liberty isn’t going to slide nearly as far as you might think. Des Moines Christian has the Lombardi sisters back, and right-side star Ava Schubert keys Davenport Assumption.

THE LOCALS

Mount Vernon (Miller and Meester) and West Liberty (Brooklyn Buysse and Monica Morales) both bring back two all-staters. If you’re looking for an up-and-comer, take a hard look at Mid-Prairie. The Golden Hawks welcome back a pair of River Valley Conference “Elite” picks in Dakota Miller and Ella Groenwold, and will provide stern competition to West Liberty in the RVC South.

LINDER’S TOP 10

1. Mount Vernon (34-13, 3A state qualifier)

2. West Liberty (39-5, 3A state runner-up)

3. Des Moines Christian (36-7, 3A state qualifier)

4. Davenport Assumption (35-5, 3A state semifinalist)

5. Sioux Center (25-9, 3A regional finalist)

6. New Hampton (24-11, 3A regional semifinalist)

7. Unity Christian (28-5, 3A state qualifier)

8. Sheldon (27-6, 3A state qualifier)

9. Atlantic (17-20, 3A regional quarterfinalist)

10. Mid-Prairie (16-14, regional semifinalist)

Class 2A

REWIND TO 2021

Dike-New Hartford swept its way through the postseason and concluded a 54-1 season with its second straight title, its 15th overall.

THE FAVORITE

Not only is Dike-New Hartford an overwhelming favorite to earn its third straight 2A title, the Wolverines likely are the best team in any class and — despite a challenging schedule — an undefeated season isn’t far-fetched. Five starters are back, including junior Payton Petersen, the 2021 state co-player of the year. Her twin, Jadyn Petersen, and senior Madelyn Norton also are returning first-team 2A all-staters.

THE CHALLENGERS

Western Christian, the 2021 runner-up, is DNH’s top threat despite losing five starters to graduation. The two returners — senior Stella Winterfeld and Abby VerBurg — were 1-2 in kills for the Wolfpack last season. It’s a certainty that Western will reload nicely around them. A pair of 3A regional finalists last year, West Burlington and Eddyville EBF are next in line. EBF’s Molly Shafer was second in the state (all-classes) in kills last year as a freshman, with 5.9 per set.

THE LOCALS

The timing wasn’t great for Lisbon to climb to 2A; the Lions have a cast that would have been in the mix for the 1A championship, led by versatile senior Peyton Robinson. Even in 2A, the Lions are state-tournament material. West Branch, Cascade and Dyersville Beckman also warrant your attention.

LINDER’S TOP 10

1. Dike-New Hartford (54-1, 2A state champion)

2. Western Christian (40-6, 2A state runner-up)

3. West Burlington (30-4, 3A regional finalist)

4. Eddyville EBF (31-5, 3A regional finalist)

5. Missouri Valley (28-7, 2A regional semifinalist)

6. Lisbon (36-7, 1A regional finalist)

7. Underwood (19-12, 2A regional quarterfinalist)

8. Sumner-Fredericksburg (34-7, 2A regional finalist)

9. Grundy Center (28-16, 2A regional semifinalist)

10. Carroll Kuemper (26-11, 2A regional finalist)

Class 1A

REWIND TO 2021

Burlington Notre Dame captured its second consecutive title, dropping just one set in the postseason, in the championship match against Springville.

THE CO-FAVORITES

This class, more than any, is cluttered with contenders, maybe as many as eight. Three stand out as co-favorites. North Tama welcomes back five starters from a state-semifinal squad, including all-staters Jadyn Rausch and Shae Ewoldt. First-team setter Nia Howard is back for Springville, which reached the finals. And Ankeny Christian returns virtually intact after last year’s 33-4 campaign.

THE CHALLENGERS

Five starters are back for perennial qualifier Fort Madison Holy Trinity, led by juniors Natalie Randolph and Mary Kate Bundlage. Le Mars Gehlen is a good bet to get to state for the sixth straight year, Gladbrook-Reinbeck for the third year in a row. Notre Dame brings back its top hitter in Gabby Deery, and Dunkerton might be ready to join the ranks of the elite.

THE LOCALS

North Tama and Springville are the area’s top small-school teams by a wide margin. Next in the pecking order are Central City and North Linn.

LINDER’S TOP 10

1. North Tama (31-11, 1A state semifinalist)

2. Springville (35-5, 1A state runner-up)

3. Ankeny Christian (33-4, 1A regional finalist)

4. Fort Madison Holy Trinity (33-11, 1A state semifinalist)

5. Gladbrook-Reinbeck (29-14, 1A state qualifier)

6. Dunkerton (27-7, 1A regional semifinalist)

7. Le Mars Gehlen (25-6, 1A state qualifier)

8. Burlington Notre Dame (38-8, 1A state champion)

9. Ackley AGWSR (19-17, 1A regional quarterfinalist)

10. Sidney (24-16, 1A regional finalist)

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com