2002 Superconference Volleyball Preview

North Division

Columbus

Coach — Josh Lukavsky (3rd year, 74–46–8 record)

Last year's record — 18–11–4 (5–2 division)

Returning letterwinners — Ann Mincks, Sr.; Emily Wilson, Sr.; Mackenzie Meyerholz, So.; Nicole Stewart, Jr.; Ashley Orris, So.

Letterwinners lost — Shelley Heindel, Mandy Orris, Stacey Everett, Samantha Forbes

Promising newcomers — Kelsey Vincent, Jr.; Lisa Flake, So.; Meghan McConahay, Jr.

Outlook — The Wildcats look to be in the hunt for the division title if their younger players develop quickly. Senior Ann Mincks had 192 kills last year, while Mackenzie Meyerholz and Nicole Stewart each had over 100 digs.The Wildcats feature a mixture of height and speed, which should make them a strong defensive team.

Louisa–Muscatine

Coach — Lori Walker (1st year)

Last year's record — 0–12 (0–5)

Returning letterwinners — Stacie Bieri, Sr., OH; Christina Schutte, Jr., S; Jamie Phillips, Sr.; Bethany Townsley, Sr.; Lyndsey Harsch, Sr.; Danielle Lange, Sr.

Letterwinners lost — Erika Reeves

Promising newcomers — Valerie Beck, Jr.; Ashley O'Toole, So.; Sara Bras, So.; Rachel Cantrell, So.; Rachelle McGhee, Jr.; Kate Dion, Sr.; Holly Reeves, So.

Outlook — The Falcons look to turn things around with a new coach and a new attitude. The Falcons have plenty of experience, with five returning seniors, along with junior setter Christina Schutte. With four talented sophomores ready to step into the mix, the Falcons have as much depth as any team in the division.

Mediapolis

Coach — Dennis Jandrey (16th year, 356–104–44)

Last year's record — 22–10–6 (5–2)

Returning letterwinners — Jo Kester, Sr., OH/MH; Margaret Kuenzler, Sr., OH; Brenna Nelson, Sr., MH; Ashlee Baker, Sr., OH; Krista Wirt, Sr., RH; Sarah Schulte, Sr., DS; Laura Spanhut, Sr., S/DS; Kay Spanhut, Sr., DS

Letterwinners lost — Joanna Weyers, Jennifer Lingenfelter

Promising newcomers — Ashlei Jandrey, Sr., S; Meta Kramer, Jr., DS; Emily Kester, So., S; Andrea Lingenfelter, Sr., DS

Outlook — The Bullettes are the heavy favorite to win the division this year, led by as talented a group of seniors as any team in southeast Iowa. The Bullettes return eight senior letterwinners, including Class 1A second team all–state hitter Jo Kester and first team all–conference hitter Margaret Kuenzler. With the addition of Class 3A fifth team all–state setter Ashlei Jandrey, the Bullettes should make a serious run at their first state tournament berth in 10 years. Wapello

Wapello

Coach — Ken Spielbauer (6th year, 98–12–42)

Last year's record — 10–12–4 (3–4)

Returning letterwinners — Jacque Ward, OH; Bekka Hall, MB; Kelly Mills, S; Sarah Dixon, OH; Jenny Kemp, WH

Outlook — The Arrows feature plenty of height, but don't have a lot of depth. If the Arrows are to return to the top of the division and make a deep run in the postseason, they will need another big season from outside hitter Jacque Ward. Ward was a first team all–conference player last year.

Winfield–Mount Union

Coach — David Pieart (2nd year, 16–12–2)

Last year's record — 16–12–2 (5–2)

Returning letterwinners — Samantha Edwards, Sr., OH; Ashley Mabeus, Sr., MB; Danielle Mullen, Sr., S/DS; Melanie Carlson, Jr., OH

Letterwinners lost — Allyson Carlson, Brandi Mullen, Samantha Wilkerson, Ramsie Carroll, Torey Olson

Promising newcomers — Kiley Finke, Sr., OH; Kari Hobbs, Sr., MB; Jess Harvey, Sr., DS; Emily Buffington, Jr., OH/MB; Raelynn Huff, So., S/DS; Erin Redlinger, So., OH/DS

Outlook — The Lady Wolves will have to find replacements for five graduated seniors from last year's second–place team. Senior middle blocker Ashley Mabeus was a second team all–conference player last year. Senior outside hitter Samantha Edwards earned honorable mention, as did junior outside hitter Melanie Carlson.

South Division

Danville

Coach — Steven R. Rogers (17th year)

Last year's record — 3–20–2 (0–6 division)

Returning letterwinners — Tabitha Fraise, Sr., H; Sondra Brakeville, Sr., H/S; Taylor Griffin, Sr., H; Lindsay Walker, Jr., H; Laura Kerr, Jr., S/H; Jill Helling, So., H

Letterwinners lost — Erica Quikstad, H; Jenny Ossian, S

Promising newcomers — Shasta Ketchum, So.

Outlook — The Bruinettes are a young team with three seniors and two juniors returning. Junior hitter Lindsay Walker was an honorable mention all–conference player last year. The Bruinettes will have to grow up in a hurry in one of the toughest leagues around. The Bruinettes should continue to improve as the season progresses.

Fort Madison Aquinas

Coach — Mike Helling (3rd year, 51–14–5)

Last year's record — 27–9–2 (5–1 division)

Returning letterwinners — Katie Rung, Sr., S; Jill Helling, Sr., OH; Jill Braden, Sr., OH; Jenn Ping, Sr., M; Allison Meierotto, Sr., M; Maggie Hoenig, Sr., RS; Heather Kramer, Sr., RS; Kelly Pieper, Jr., RS; Angela Dunlay, Sr., DS

Letterwinners lost — Jill Freesmeier

Promising newcomers — Tarah Cullen, So., M

Outlook — The Lady Dons return all but one player from last year's team which reached the Class 1A regional final. The Lady Dons are led by senior setter Katie Rung, senior outside hitter Jill Helling and senior middle blocker Jenn Ping. All were first team all–conference players last year. Senior outside hitter Jill Braden and senior defensive specialist Angela Dunlay were second team all–conference players last year. If the Lady Dons can improve their serving percentage, they could make a trip to state.

Keokuk Cardinal Stritch

Coach — Kim Goetz (10th year)

Last year's record — 15–12–2 (3–3)

Returning letterwinners — Jennifer Goetz, Sr., MH; Krissy High, Sr., S; Erika Lambros, Jr., OH; Jessica O'Bleness, Sr., MH; Erika High, Jr., OH; Ashley Derr, Sr., OH

Letterwinners lost — None

Promising newcomers — Jenna Thompson, Sr., OH; Natalie Beaird, Jr., OH; Danielle Klepfer, Jr., S; Katie Stringwell, Sr., OH

Outlook — The Lionettes return every player from last year's team which pushed Fort Madison Aquinas to the limit in districts. Jennifer Goetz was a Class 1A sixth team all–state player last year, also earning first team all–conference and all–district honors. Senior setter Krissy High was a second team all–conference pick, while senior outside hitter Erika Lambros and senior middle hitter Jessica O'Bleness earned honorable mention. O'Bleness missed just two serves all last year.

Marquette

Coach — Melissa Freesmeier

Last year's record — 23–5 (5–1)

Returning letterwinners — Kaci Stuekerjuergen, Sr., OH/BS; Kim Fedler, Sr., MB; Kelly Sanders, Sr., OH/S; Regan Lohman, Jr., OH; Dana Gregory, Jr., OH; Tara Kaltiflieter, Jr., S/OH

Letterwinners lost — Bobbi Steffensmeier, Megan Lortz, Amanda Cox, Amanda Thompson

Promising newcomers — Marcy Thompson, Jr., OH/BS; Lindsey Winnike, Sr., MB; Amie Steffensmeier, Jr., MB/OH; Kim Sanders, So., OH/MB; Kathleen Vonderhaar, So., S/BS

Outlook — The Warriorettes lost their two biggest hitters, Bobbi Steffensmeier and Amanda Cox, to graduation. But they return senior outside hitter/backro specialist Kaci Stuekerjuergen and senior middle blocker Kim Fedler, both second team all–conference picks last year.If the Warriorettes are to remain at the top of a tough division, they will have to rely on quickness and defense in a rebuilding year.

New London

Coach — Maureen Heath (4th year, 358–102 career record)

Last year's record — 36–9 (5–1)

Returning letterwinners — Courtney Pilch, Sr., OH; Stephanie Fisher, Jr., MH; Rylee Olsen, Jr., MH; Megan Alden, Sr., S; Stacy Inglebright, Sr., OH; Piper Williamson, Sr., DS; Katie Lorber, So., OH

Letterwinners lost — Kara Rumelhart

Promising newcomers — Kaci Rumelhart, So., S/DS Outlook — The Tigers return almost their entire team from last year. Setter Kara Rumelhart was a first team all–conference setter last year, but senior Megan Alden is ready to step into that role. Senior outside hitter Courtney Pilch was a Class 1A fourth team all–state player last year, while junior middle hitters Rylee Olsen and Stephanie Fisher were second team all–conference picks. If the Tigers' serving and passing improves, they could return to state for the second time in three years.

West Division

Central Lee

Coach — Don Ford (24th year, 234–266–22 career record)

Last year's record — 25–13–4 (6–0 division)

Returning letterwinners — Sara Weirather, Sr., OH; Tammy Hunold, Sr., OH; Amy O'Reilly, Sr., S; Erin Ruth, Jr., MB

Letterwinners lost — Emily Schwartz, Angie Ruth, Alicia Miller, Cassie Pardall, Ursula Adkins, Trista Dobson, Lexi Hopp, Ashley Mehl

Promising newcomers — Megan Fedler, Sr., MB; Brittany Anderson, Sr., OH

Outlook — The Lady Hawks return three key players off last year's team which advanced to a Class 2A regional final. Senior outside hitter Sara Weirather was a second team all–conference player last year, while senior outside hitter Tammy Hunold earned first team honors. Senior Amy O'Reilly will have to step up and replace graduated setter Emily Schwartz. The Lady Hawks, who lack height this year, will rely on quickness and experience as they seek to defend their division title.

Van Buren

Coach — Lori Zeitler (1st year)

Last year's record — 2–4 division

Returning letterwinners — Meghan Niederhuth, Sr., Shelby Spates, Sr., Jackie Alvis, Sr.

Letterwinners lost — Leslie Weller, Jody Plowman, Carrie Morris, Emily Humble, Cassie Cunningham

Promising newcomers — Miranda Wiley, Sr.; Kyla Whitten, Jr.; Randi Gaston, Jr.; Emily Thomason, Jr.; Mahyla Bainbridge, Jr.; Britni Smith, So.; Hannah Keller, So.; Katie Hanus, So.; Paige Davis, So.

Outlook — The Warriors return just two starters, but both were all–conference performers last year. Senior hitters Shelby Spates and Meghan Niederhuth give the Warriors as formidable a front line as any, but the Warriors lack experience at other positions. Senior setter Miranda Wiley is a transfer from Fox Valley.