New London, W-MU teams make preseason rankings

Both the New London and Winfielf-Mt. Union teams have been listed in the Class 1A volleyball preseason rankings released by the IGHSAU this week.

New London is ranked 11th overall and W-MU sits at No. 15.

The Tigers went 28-13 last season, and graduated four seniors, including setter Bria Mears, and they will also be playing without senior hitter Baylee Lindell this season ? she tore her ACL in open gym over the summer.

However, the Tigers bring back a lot of talent, including senior Koral Crossett, who was second team all-conference last year and senior libero Caitlin Chiri. Junior Sarah Holtkamp will step into the role of setter.

W-MU went 17-16 with last year?s young squad, and graduated only libero Kassidy McLaughlin and middle blocker Katlyn Malone.

They return first team all-conference, all district, and all-state honorable mention hitter Alicia Escher, a senior this year. The team also brings back second team all-conference and all-district opposite hitter and setter Shelby Therme, a junior. Senior setter Katie Bensen and all-conference honorable mention hitter Anna Crawford also return to the court for the Wolves this year, giving W-MU a formidable front row that will help them challenge just about any opponent on their tough schedule, which includes Class 3A No. 2 Mediapolis.

The Tigers will see also some tough competition this year, particularly from another ranked team that competes in the Southeast Iowa Super Conference South Division: Holy Trinity Catholic. The Crusaders sit at No. 4 in the Class 1A preseason rankings.

For more on the New London and W-MU volleyball teams, see the Henry County Fall Sports Preview, which will be included with tomorrow?s edition of the Mt. Pleasant News.