Hey, look up ahead. We’re almost there. Volleyball season arrives shortly. No better time than the present to dive into previews for squads around the state.
We’ll start with the Central Iowa Metro League, home to defending Class 5A state champion Waukee Northwest. State tournament participants Ankeny, Ankeny Centennial, Dowling Catholic, West Des Moines Valley and Johnston also reside in the CIML. In other words, six of nine teams in this conference will be trying to make it back to Xtream Arena in Coralville.
Waukee Northwest
Outlook: The Wolves won the state championship as a three-seed, taking down Cedar Falls, Centennial and Dowling at Xtream Arena. They lost twice to Dowling and Centennial during the regular season. Northwest’s postseason performance was one for the history books at a school that first opened for the ’21-22 school year.
The graduation of key performers from the championship run will test the program’s strength. Fortunately for the Wolves, proven players are returning. They’ll be joined by student-athletes ready for bigger roles.
Avery Vogt Avery Vogt 5'11" | S Waukee Northwest | 2026 State IA , Logan Vogt Logan Vogt 6'1" | OH Waukee Northwest | 2027 State IA and Anna Pelds Anna Pelds 5'5" | DS/L Waukee Northwest | 2026 State IA were key cogs last fall with plenty of room to grow as players. Leah Janulewicz Leah Janulewicz 5'9" | DS/L Waukee Northwest | 2027 State IA (DS/L) and Vana Bilic (S) have varsity experience. Piper Ladwig Piper Ladwig 6'3" | OH Waukee Northwest | 2027 State IA (OH), London Taylor London Taylor 5'8" | DS/L Waukee Northwest | 2027 State IA (DS/L), Avery Edgington Avery Edgington 5'8" | RS Waukee Northwest | 2027 State IA (OH), Lydia Burrell Lydia Burrell 5'11" | RS Waukee Northwest | 2027 State IA (OH) and Liv Davis Liv Davis 5'9" | S Waukee Northwest | 2027 State IA (S) are among a collection of talented youngsters on the roster.
Dowling Catholic
Outlook: The Maroons battled Northwest through five sets in the state championship match last November. They enjoyed an outstanding overall season, finishing 32-8.
Dowling returns a pair of college commitments in Annalise Grant Annalise Grant 5'5" | DS/L Dowling Catholic | 2025 State IA (Iowa State) and Ella Rogers Ella Rogers 6'1" | S Dowling | 2025 State IA (South Dakota). Kate Nelson Kate Nelson 5'9" | RS Dowling Catholic | 2025 State IA , Siri Beecher Siri Beecher OH Dowling | 2025 State IA , Ellie Muller Ellie Muller 6'3" | MB Dowling Catholic | 2026 State IA and Ava Groeteke Ava Groeteke 6'1" | RS Dowling | 2026 State IA each delivered at least 153 kills in ’23. Nelson and Muller combined for 215.0 blocks. Maddie Chapman returns as a back-row starter. Amaiya Thompson Amaiya Thompson MB Dowling | 2025 State IA would start in plenty of other programs. Alexis Theis Alexis Theis DS/L Dowling | 2027 IA and Kaylie Klein Kaylie Klein 6'1" | OH Dowling Catholic | 2027 State IA are back after seeing varsity action as freshmen a year ago.
Ankeny Centennial
Outlook: The Jaguars advanced to the state semifinals the last two seasons. They were led by first-team all-staters Delaney Miller Delaney Miller 5'10" | OH Ankeny Centennial | 2025 State IA and Jaeden Pratt Jaeden Pratt MB Ankeny Centennial | 2025 State IA , seniors who return for a last run at the top prize.
Mya Lei-Butters Mya Lei-Butters 5'1" | DS/L Ankeny Centennial | 2026 State IA is one of the better liberos in the state. Finley Greiner Finley Greiner OH Ankeny Centennial | 2025 State IA , Ava Adams, and Maegen Cheeseman could be poised for a bigger roles in ’24. Nora Bockus, Tatem Schmidt Tatem Schmidt 5'11" | S Ankeny Centennia | 2026 State IA , Emma Reaman Emma Reaman 5'7" | DS/L Ankeny Centennial | 2026 State IA , Kylee Patterson Kylee Patterson RS Ankeny Centennial | 2026 IA , Bailey Snyder Bailey Snyder 5'11" | OH Ankeny Centennial | 2027 State IA , Ellie Blevins Ellie Blevins 5'5" | DS/L Ankeny Centennial | 2027 State IA , Emma Vanden Hull Emma Vanden Hull 5'7" | S Ankeny Centennial | 2027 State IA , Kenlie Erickson Kenlie Erickson 5'8" | MB Ankeny Centennial | 2027 State IA and Lily Lily Beckman | 2025 IA Harmon are part of the next wave of talented Jaguars moving up.
Johnston
Outlook: The Dragons cruised into the state tournament with a pair of postseason victories against Waukee and Marshalltown. They’d stumbled against Valley in the regional finals the previous season, so it was nice to get over the hump.
The depth of Johnston’s program could be tested this season after graduation losses. Don’t be surprised to see the Dragons meet the challenge.
Jaida Bell Jaida Bell OH Johnston | 2025 State IA is leading returner in kills (89) and blocks (40.0), while Willow Schmitz Willow Schmitz 5'8" | OH Johnston | 2025 State IA ‘s 147 digs in ’23 are the most among returning players. Lila Shaw, Norah Hany Norah Hany 6'1" | MB Johnston | 2026 State IA and Claire Holub have varsity experience, and young setter, Allison Ricke, is a name to know.
Ankeny
Outlook: Ankeny fell, 15-12, in the fifth set against rival Centennial in last year’s state tournament quarterfinals. It lost to Valley at that state the season before.
The Hawks are seeking their first state title since ’20 with an experienced roster capable of a big season. All-staters Baileigh Carlsen Baileigh Carlsen 5'9" | DS/L Ankeny | 2025 State IA , Kamryn Scheib Kamryn Scheib 5'11" | OH Ankeny | 2025 State IA and Reagan Hanfelt Reagan Hanfelt 6'0" | MB Ankeny | 2025 State IA form the foundation of this year’s squad. Olivia Eike boasts all-state potential, and Maya Ridgeway Maya Ridgeway 5'11" | OH Ankeny | 2025 State IA and Ilana Coleman Ilana Coleman 5'7" | DS/L Ankeny Hawks | 2025 State IA appear poised for a bigger roles. Juniors Hailey Flanders Hailey Flanders 5'8" | DS/L Ankeny | 2026 State IA and Maliya Cobb Maliya Cobb 5'10" | RS Ankeny | 2026 State IA along with sophom*ores Marlee Ellison Marlee Ellison "5'10""" | OH Ankeny | 2027 State IA , Jenna Harbour Jenna Harbour 5'6" | DS/L Ankeny | 2027 State IA and Raquel Risk Raquel Risk 6'0" | OH Ankeny | 2027 State IA add to this outfit’s depth of talented players.
West Des Moines Valley
Outlook: The Tigers reaching last year’s state tournament in what was a down season for them illustrated the strength of their program and the power of the CIML. They arrived in Coralville with a 19-15 record.
Valley will be replacing key performers lost to graduation. It can rely one of the state’s best all-around players in Kaelyn Wieland Kaelyn Wieland 5'8" | S West Des Moines Valley | 2026 State IA . Thia Raridon and Ashlee Brown are versatile front-row athletes with a big swings. Brynn Cibula Brynn Cibula 5'6" | DS/L Valley | 2027 IA and Abi Houston will take on more responsibilities this season.
Waukee
Outlook: Last season ended a step from state for the Warriors. Johnston eliminated them in the regional finals. It also was a step forward for a program still searching for its first winning season since making it to state in ’19.
Expect a winning season from Waukee this fall with the potential for much more. A talented group of players is capable of making some noise after taking its lumps in ’23. Malia Rogers Malia Rogers 6'2" | OH Waukee | 2027 State IA , Maggie Craig Maggie Craig OH Waukee | 2026 State IA , Alexa Alexa Perez | 2025 IA Weber and Stella Braddock Stella Braddock 5'11" | RS Waukee | 2026 State IA all look like high-upside players with varsity experience under their belts. Gretta Secory Gretta Secory OH IA , Mia Heinrich,Megan Tracy and Teagan Mash also have made varsity contributions.
Southeast Polk
Outlook: The Rams’ 14 victories in ’23 were the most since they collected 20 in ’19. They’ll look to build on that win total with a relatively seasoned lineup.
Emma Soulis and Kennedy Borud are experienced setters who shared the role a year ago. Kennedy Harris, Kylie Kylie Hoffman | 2026 IA Ciesielski and Ellie Wood are veteran hitters seeking bigger roles. Grace Vandehaar is a stabilizer in the back row, where Gabriella Severs is a reliable contributor.
Urbandale
Outlook: The J-Hawks played at the state tournament just two short years ago. That run has been followed by two seasons finishing with under-.500 records.
Urbandale welcomes back Ela Tabakovic,Courtney Dunn, Danni Pederson, Lauren Salmon, Maggie Walker and Ava Wattier as varsity veterans hoping to fill even bigger roles this coming campaign.
