A look at area volleyball teams

As official competition gets underway later this month, here’s a quick look at each Hometown Current area volleyball team.

BELLE PLAINE

Head Coach: April Kressley

2024 recap: SICL East Division champions with a 17-14 overall record last season. Advanced to the gold bracket of SICL tournament and made it farther than any area team, advancing to the 1A regional semifinals.

BGM

Head Coach: Regan Gritsch

2024 recap: Finished 6-16 with one win in SICL play.

Key returners: Kylie Arment and Ana Coleman.

ENGLISH VALLEYS

Head Coach: Bob Barrick (4th season)

2024 recap: FInished 7-20 last season and fourth in the SICL East Division.

Key returners: Ava Gehkring, Hadyn Bender, Joslyn Bender, Olivia Debevec and Pantera Spies.

Newcomer to watch: Anna Gorsh, took last season off to focus on wrestling.

Season outlook: A lot of good, competitive competition for playing time and the team has focused a lot on conditioning and practicing hard. Hoping to have a more flexible offense this season with improved passing. Goal is to play more consistently this season.

HLV-TC

Head Coach: Kayla Chizek (3rd season)

2024 recap: Finished 14-15 with a 8-3 conference record in the SICL. SICL tournament runner-up and advanced to the 1A regional quarterfinals.

Key returners: Erilea Kupka, Nicole Gensley, Jordyn Menicucci and Raegen Stowell.

Newcomer to watch: Karley Moore

Season outlook: Aiming to improve in serve receives and defense. Team believes they have a lot of chemistry and quality leadership. In what could be a competitive SICL, shooting for a conference title.

IOWA VALLEY

Head Coach: Ross Karsten (4th season)

2024 recap: Finished 14-18 last season including a five-match winning streak in second half of season. Won the SICL tournament silver bracket championship.

Key returners: Maeci Marshall and Clara Fry.

Newcomers to watch: Olyvia Grant and Maggie Kriegel.

Season outlook: Goal is to finish in upper half of conference with no more divisions. Team will look to develop some new hitters after losing production from last season. Aiming to improve in efficiency on hitting and serving.

MONTEZUMA

Head Coach: Tim Burgess (2nd season)

2024 recap: Finished 13-15 overall, fourth in the South Iowa Cedar League West division. Advanced to the 1A regional quarterfinals.

Key Returners: Sydnee Burgess, Chloe Snook, Lauryn Larmore and Lily Ferry.

Newcomers to watch: AJ Kercheval, Leah Urfer, Rylee Thompson, Mya Smothers and Sara Bos.

Season outlook: Will have a few returners who will have increased roles with some potential contributing newcomers. Will remain strong up front defensively and look to improve in hitting efficiency offensively. No more divisions in the SICL, team is aiming for an upper third finish.

WILLIAMSBURG

Head Coach: Brittni Powell (3rd season)

2024 recap: Tripled win total for the season before with a 18-11 record. Advanced to the second round of regional play with a lot of contributions from freshmen and sophomores.

Key returners: Clarissa Suhr, Kylee Suhr, Averi Nieslen, Ellie Nielsen, Jordyn Skaggs and Keston Spratt.

Newcomer to watch: The starting libero position is still a battle between three players.

Season outlook: Want to build off last season’s success and win all of their winnable matches for a good postseason draw. Will focus on playing consistent and building their offense around their returning hitters and utilizing them the best they can.

(Not all coaches responded to questions before press time.)