SBLive Power 25 Iowa high school volleyball rankings: Teams looking for state tournament berths

By Bret Hayworth | Photo by Matthew Putney 

Iowa high school volleyball teams are moving deeper in regional postseason competition, trying to land state berths, which will be determined by Wednesday, Oct. 26. 

Here are the Top 25 teams in the SBLive Iowa power rankings, in a list that places schools from all five classifications into one. 

The state tournament begins Monday, Oct. 31, in Iowa City. 

1. Dike-New Hartford (41-2 record, Last Week No. 1)

The Wolverines remain No. 1 for a ninth week, riding a 18-match winning streak as they aim for a third straight Class 2A title. The team, led by the junior Petersen twins (Jadyn and Payton), plays Monday in a regional semi-final against Mason-NW Webster (24-7), with a potential state berth on the line Wednesday in the regional final.

2. Ankeny (34-4, LW No. 2)

The Class 5A Hawks have won 16 in a row, and won the CIML conference with a 7-0 record. Ankeny plays for a state berth Tuesday, October 25, against Council Bluffs Lincoln (23-17) in Region 1. Aowyn Schrader has 301 kills.

3. Pleasant Valley (26-6, LW No. 3)

Pleasant Valley won the Class 5A title in 2021, and won the Mississippi Athletic Conference title this season. The Spartans play for a state tourney berth Tuesday in Region 8, with Dubuque Senior (21-16) as the foe. Chloe Cline leads PV with 234 kills.

4. Hull Western Christian (38-5, LW No. 4)

The Class 2A Wolfpack play Monday in a regional semifinal against North Union (18-9), and with a win would play Wednesday in the contest for a state berth. Senior setter Hannah Broek has 976 assists.

5. Iowa City Liberty (29-8, LW No. 5)

Liberty is one win away from a Class 5A state berth, which could come with a Tuesday regional win over Prairie (14-21). Senior Cassidy Hartman leads the Lightning with 456 kills.

6. Xavier Cedar Rapids (29-4, LW No. 6)

The Class 4A squad needs to win one more match to nab a state berth, which could come with a Tuesday regional win over Dallas Center-Grimes (20-16). Senior setter Anna Shoger has 737 assists running the offense.

7. Dowling Catholic (30-9, LW No. 7)

Class 5A Dowling with a Tuesday regional win over Sioux City North (22-14) will earn a state berth. Senior Sophia Ibach leads the Dowling defense with 294 digs.

8. Marion (34-6, LW No. 8)

The Class 4A Wolves play Tuesday with a state berth on the line, with Knoxville (26-12) as the foe. Marion has returning All-State Setter Avery Van Hook as a key player.

9. Assumption (Davenport) (29-7, LW No. 9)

After two playoff wins last week, the Class 3A Knights need one more win Tuesday in a regional final for a 30th win and a state tournament spot. The opponent is Mid-Prairie (27-11). Ava Schubert has put down 300 kills.

10. Ankeny Centennial (28-9, LW No. 10)

The Class 5A Jaguars with a Tuesday regional match win over Des Moines Roosevelt (20-17) would land in the state tourney. Sophomore Jaeden Pratt lead the Centennial squad in the blocks stat with 84.

11. Cedar Falls (33-6, LW No. 11)

Cedar Falls was the Class 5A runner up last year, and will be in the 2022 tourney field if the Tigers can get past Urbandale (15-19) on Tuesday. A rare Class 5A top tier team with a freshman setter, Brynn Bakula fills that role for CF..

12. North Scott (31-5, LW No. 12)

The Class 4A Lancers will land a tournament spot with a Tuesday regional victory, with Oskaloosa (23-10) as the foe in the way. Sophomore Abbey Hayes leads North Scott in kills with 321.

13. Waukee Northwest (27-12, LW No. 13)

The Class 5A Wolves play Tuesday for a state tourney berth in a regional final against Cedar Rapids Kennedy (22-11). Junior Katey Lockyear has amassed 692 assists as the Wolves setter.

14. Des Moines Christian (44-5, LW No.14)

The Class 3A Lions with a Tuesday wn over Van Meter (26-12) will make the state tournament field. Returning All-Stater Gabby Lombardi is an offensive stalwart for the Lions.

15. Wapsie Valley (39-4, LW No. 15)

The Class 2A team plays Monday in a regional semifinal with Regina Catholic (19-14), and with a victory would next play Wednesday for a state berth. Senior Hannah Knight has put down 345 kills.

16. Mount Vernon (33-5, LW No. 16)

Class 3A Mount Vernon takes on Vinton-Shellsburg (28-13) Tuesday in a regional final with the state tournament as a possible prize. Chloe Meester is one of the top sophomore spikers in Iowa, and she has 464 kills.

17. West Liberty (30-7, LW No. 17)

Class 3A West Liberty made it to the state title match in 2021, and a 2022 berth would be nabbed with a Tuesday regional win over Solon (26-12). Setter Brooklyn Buysee has passed out 857 assists.

18. Sioux Center (29-3, LW No. 18)

The Class 3A Warriors with a 30th win in the Tuesday regional with nearby opponent Sheldon (16-15) would gain a berth in the state tournament. The team leader in kills is Reagan Jansen with 314.

19. Johnston (26-10, LW No. 19)

Class 5A Johnston plays Tuesday against WDM Valley (20-20), with the regional winner moving into the state tourney field. The Dragons are led in kills by Junior Ava Helming with 325.

20. West Burlington (35-6, LW No. 20)

The Class 2A Falcons play Monday against Pella Christian (25-14) in a regional semifinal, then a possible state berth could come out of the Wednesday regional match. Abby Bence ranks among the top leaders with 935 assists.

21. Springville (35-3, LW No. 21)

Springville was the 2021 state runner up. The Orioles can return to state tourney play with two wins. The Monday regional semifinal opponent is Central City (20-12), and the winner will play Wednesday in the regional final. Setter Nia Howard runs the offense.

22. Ankeny Christian (34-3, LW No. 22)

Class 1A Ankeny Christian has won 13 matches in a row, and two wins this week by the team would result in a state berth. Tri-Center (23-13) is the Monday opponent, and a Wednesday regional final match awaits. Setter Katie Quick leads the Eagles in assists and also blocks.

23. North Tama (37-4, LW No. 23)

With a Monday victory over Waterloo Christian (20-16) and also Wednesday in the regional final, North Tama would be in the Class 1A state tourney. The Redhawks leader with 454 digs is freshman Addison Hochstetler.

24. Western Dubuque (23-10, LW No. 24)

The Class 4A Bobcats won the 2021 title, and can defend their crown in state tourney play if they win the Tuesday regional final against Charles City (27-12). Western Dubuque’s Libby Lansing has 299 kills.

25. Lisbon (37-2, LW No. 25)

Class 2A Lisbon can land a state tourney spot with two wins on Monday and Wednesday. First up in the regional semifinal Monday is Hudson (22-14). Junior Ava Czarnecki leads Lisbon with 321 kills and hits at .382.

Dropped Out: None