8 things we learned in Iowa high school volleyball from Sept. 18 to Sept. 23

Another week, another highly entertaining set of volleyball matches across Iowa. Last week we saw some high-profile teams take a step back, while others surprised or cemented themselves as contenders.

Here’s what we learned from Sept. 18-23.

1. Dowling Catholic looked human over the weekend

The Class 5A race got a bit more interesting over the weekend, with the Maroons dropping two matches during the Tiger Invitational on Saturday. Still, Dowling defeated Carlie Willis and Grundy Center in the quarterfinals, showing there's not a ton of cause for concern for the Maroons with their play. Dowling might be concerned, however, with how well some other 5A teams are playing.

2. Cedar Falls first to take a swipe at Dowling

After defeating defending 5A champion Iowa City Liberty two weeks ago, the Tigers proved again they are not going away.

Facing off with the Maroons in the semifinals of the Tiger Invitational, Cedar Falls dropped the first set but won the next two to move on to the final vs. Waukee Northwest. The Tigers finished second, but in winning 10 of their 13 sets against quality competition, they showed they’re here to stay.

3. Waukee Northwest is the latest 5A squad to surprise

It was Valley earlier this season, then Ankeny and Johnston, and now the Wolves are the surprising and surging team. Leaving Cedar Falls with the Tiger Invitational trophy, Waukee Northwest defeated Dowling Catholic in group play and then Cedar Falls in the title game. In 14 sets, the Wolves went 12-2. Senior Katrina Pelds led the way with 13 kills in the win during group play over Dowling Catholic. She leads the team with 114 kills this season.

This comes after a Waukee Northwest spokesperson told the Register last week that head coach Jodi Vogt is currently on administrative leave. The school would not provide details explaining why she is away from the team.

4. Mount Vernon has no answers vs. Dike-New Hartford

Thankfully for Mount Vernon, it resides in 3A and not in 2A with powerful Dike-New Hartford.

The Mustangs lost for the second time this season, both losses coming against the Wolverines. Despite that, Mount Vernon has a ton of room for optimism within its own class as it continues to beat the Des Moines Christians and other top competitors within 3A. And with Chloe Meester averaging 5.1 kills per set as a junior, there’s not much they can’t do.

5. West Burlington avenges early-season loss, cementing itself as a pesky squad

I’ve been waiting a bit to see more from the Falcons this season. In defeating Holy Trinity Catholic and Mary Kate Bendlage after an early loss against them, it’s time to talk about West Burlington.

This is entirely a team effort, with senior Taryn Havener and junior Mady Hamelton leading the way in kills with 3.1 and 2.8 per set, respectively. Junior Taryn Snodgross is setting them up, averaging 8.8 assists per set as one of the state’s leaders in that category. Junior Carli Cline is proving to be one of the best defenders in the state, averaging 6.6 digs per set.

This is a highly competitive class with Dike-New Hartford at the top and several teams lingering as competitors, but the Falcons may be the most well-rounded to threaten the Wolverines.

6. Treynor proves this season is no fluke

Another team in 2A that just continues to quietly win, the Cardinals are now 19-0 this season after winning the Boone Invitational. Defeating Boone twice, Forest City and Clarion-Goldfield-Dows in all eight sets played, Treynor was head and shoulders above those participating.

Senior Haley Swanson is the standout for this Cardinals team, averaging nine assists per set and helping three different teammates average over two kills per set.

The schedule has largely been easy, but 19-0 cannot be ignored. They should be a competitor in the state title race.

7. Sumner-Fredericksburg made up ground lost in a slow start

With Isabelle Elliot at the forefront of this team, it was only a matter of time before the Cougars started to figure this out. Elliot racked up 15 kills in the Denver Varsity Invitational final against the 24-6 Cyclones, leaving with the trophy. That was one of four wins Sumner-Fredericksburg had in the tournament, including not dropping a single set across eight total.

The revelation for the Cougars has been sophomore Alexa Buhman, who is averaging 8.3 assists per set. Her connection with Elliot (4.8 kills per set) is a big reason the Cougars are back up to 16-8 and a team nobody wants to see come 2A state tournament time.

8. Ankeny Christian increases the gap in 1A

After winning the 1A crown in 2022, the Eagles look well primed to do so again. On an 11-match win streak with only one set lost along the way, Ankeny Christian has been dominant since Sept. 14.

After a stellar sophomore campaign, Katie Quick is back again as a junior, averaging 7.9 assists, 2.3 digs and 1.5 aces per set. Until proven otherwise, they're the team to beat in 1A.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Dowling volleyball looks human, Cedar Falls and Dike-NH look strong