2022 volleyball preview: Iowa City Liberty Lightning take aim at fourth straight state tournament

Iowa City Liberty players huddle up during a Class 5A varsity volleyball match against Iowa City High, Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021, at City High School in Iowa City, Iowa.
Iowa City Liberty players huddle up during a Class 5A varsity volleyball match against Iowa City High, Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021, at City High School in Iowa City, Iowa.

Editor's note: This is part of the Press-Citizen's team-by-team high school volleyball preview coverage. Coming tomorrow: Solon.

After notching a third consecutive state volleyball tournament appearance last season, the Iowa City Liberty Lightning have high hopes that 2022 can be the year they bring home a championship.

They believe they are positioned to do that since several key players will be returning to the squad, joined by newcomers who could thrive in new roles.

"Our team is really looking to get over the hump," Lightning coach Allie Kelly said. "We have shown that we can compete at the state tournament. Now we are trying to see if we can take that step forward and win it all."

Looking back at the 2021 volleyball season

The Lightning were one of the best teams in the state a year ago, finishing 34-5, including an undefeated record in Mississippi Valley Conference play.

Kelly was selected the Class 5A Co-Coach of the Year. Liberty's junior duo of middle/outside hitters Cassidy Hartman and Shelby Kimm were first-team all-state selections.

With so much going for the Lightning, it seemed like they were primed for another trip to the state championship match. However, Johnston pushed them to their limit and defeated them in the state quarterfinals in five sets.

That concluded the high school careers of six seniors, which included Sam Harvey (who led the team in blocks) and Gabbie Schroeder (second on the team in aces).

New additions to the team

As the team works to determine its full starting lineup, one player who will factor heavily is the new starting libero, senior Isabelle Mehmen.

Replacing former starter Schroeder, Mehmen will be going from seeing just two matches of action in 2021 to being called upon early and often.

Another player vying for more time on the court is Gracie Hennings, a junior who will be playing middle hitter for the first time in her high school career.

Last season as an outside hitter, she registered 18 kills and three blocks in the 15 sets she played.

Though these young players will be filling important roles, Kimm said the team will not put too much weight on their shoulders.

"We have some new faces coming into the program with big shoes to fill," Kimm said. "But we are not going to pressure them. Instead, we are going to welcome them with open arms."

Potential wild cards

Last season, injuries took a toll on Liberty, though one might not have known it from watching their matches.

Lauren Ramspott and Nessa Hardaway, both sophomores last season, suffered serious injuries that kept them out of action.

Ramspott tore her ACL last September, which effectively ended her season. Hardaway suffered a concussion that took her out of games down the stretch.

Now back and healthy, Kelly said that she expects both players to be in the mix for bigger roles in their junior campaigns.

"Those are two middle hitters who were not healthy last year," Kelly said. "But this year, they are ready to step up nd maybe even take on one of those roles that the seniors left behind."

Key matchup this season

When the Lightning take the court Aug. 23 in their season opener against the Cedar Rapids Prairie Hawks, that will provide both the team and its fans the chance to see how hard Liberty has been working since the conclusion of last season.

In addition to players getting the excitement of their first game of the year, Cassidy Hartman said she expects the stands to be packed more than usual for the highly anticipated affair.

"I am super excited to start the season off at home," Hartman said. "I love our student section; they are a lot of fun and bring a lot of energy to the games. I am sad that this will be my last year, but this season should be a lot of fun."

Reasons for optimism

After reaching the state tournament for the third time in the program's fifth year of existence, it's clear that Liberty is a favorite to make its way back in 2022.

That is not just because of the team members who have gained individual notoriety, but because of the team's improved chemistry.

With each year that the team's core players stay together, the Lightning's performance improves. This is not accidental, but rather an example of why having experience is so important for any squad.

Lilah VanScoyoc, a senior right side/outside hitter, expanded on this and said that the team's experience is something that helps it to be successful, especially in crucial moments.

"Because we have so many players returning, it will be a lot quicker for us to adapt," VanScoyoc said. "The players who are seniors this year are going to step up as leaders, because they have already made it to state and can help everyone get better because they know what it takes to get back there."

This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Iowa City Liberty volleyball hopes 2022 brings elusive state title