WEBSTER CITY, Ia. — Over the past decade or so, the Heart of Iowa Conference has emerged as one of the top small school conferences in volleyball throughout central Iowa. 2025 was no exception with the league presenting a grueling slate once more, with the addition of Grand View Christian. The league now grows again with Woodward-Granger entering the fold, as 2026 is shaping up to be one of the deepest years the HOIAC has seen in sometime.
Roland-Story
The two-time defending conference champions are early favorites to make it a three-peat in Story City, as the Norse are not only looking for 3-in-a-row, but to get to a state tournament and perhaps even further. The front row returning for Roland-Story is one of the best in Class 3A and the best in the conference, led by senior attackers Brookelyn Jondle and Maddi Lucas, who combined for nearly 570 kills a season ago. Emma Truesdell brings more firepower after 108 kills as a junior, while Truesdell, Lucas and fellow senior Miley Geise provide a grandiose challenge for opposing offenses.
Roland-Story’s backrow is where most of their losses occurred, but it’s still a talented group returning, led by junior libero Karsyn Lande, who finished 2nd in the HOIAC with 355 digs in 2025. Brookelyn Jondle and Miley Geise also provide high-level defense on the back row, as Jondle had over 300 digs in 2025, while Geise had over 200. Geise also represents one of the best returning setters in the state, after 811 assists and over 100 kills last season.
South Hamilton
It was the best record in 7 years for South Hamilton volleyball in 2025, as the Hawks finished 19-14 and fought well in the always tough HOIAC. Leading the charge for the Hawks front line is senior Tessa Skartvedt, who emerged as one of the top attackers in the conference last season with 294 kills and 23 blocks. It will be a younger front line returning, with juniors Stella Martensen and Alexis Crosby stepping into larger roles, as senior Riah Van De Pol brings back 65 kills from 2025.
The back row is where the strength of the Hawks squad lies, as all-conference libero Emma Lammers is back after 335 digs a season ago. Senior Aliya Erickson slides into a full-time setter role after 187 assists in 2025, while younger athletes to monitor in the back row include junior Allie Neuberger and sophomore Emma Ammerman.
Grand View Christian
The Thunder competed well in their second season as members of the HOIAC, finishing 17-20 and just missing a top half finish in the conference. GVC does lose 3 of their top 4 attackers from a season ago, as junior Trista Weaver leads the returning front line with 132 kills and a team-high 33 blocks in 2025. Fellow junior Sayers Johnson will likely see a much larger role in 2025, while setter Chloe Cox provides quality front row defense with 24 blocks last season.
It’s also a much younger back row for the Thunder, with Chloe Cox leading the unit after 266 digs and 585 assists in 2025, but the search is on to find suitable replacements in the back line. Athletes that are towards the top of that list are sophomores Sophie Bird and Leighton Beemer, as well as senior Makensey Seley.
Greene County
Despite a losing overall record, Greene County scrapped and clawed their way to a top half finish in the HOIAC in 2025 and could surprise some in the league with their talent returning in 2026. Kills leader Hanna Fouch is back after 228 kills and 8 blocks last season, while the Rams top attack blocker Makenna Ebersole is also back after 137 kills and a team-high 47 blocks. Junior Ashlynn Ball is someone who could have a big leap on the front row after 29 kills and 18 blocks last season.
The Rams back row has most of their group back, led by libero Bellah Johnson and fellow defensive back Madelyn Skalla. Johnson led the Rams with 247 digs, while Skalla was 2nd with 110 digs. Finding a setter will be the key battle for the Rams, as senior Elyssa Happe is a name to watch help fill that void.
Nevada
It’s rare to say the words “Nevada” and “rebuild” when the topic is volleyball, but after a runner-up finish in 2025, the Cubs have a lot of positions to fill going into 2026. The Cubs front line takes a big hit following the departures of Chloe Koch and Rachel Borwick, but expect junior Adalynn Muhlbauer to take on a much larger role after 94 kills and a team-high 53 blocks last season. Also waiting in the wings for the front line are seniors Bianca Knop, Isla Martin and Kelsee Holzmer, who combined for nearly 200 kills last season.
The back row does have a few pieces back, led by junior Kenna Dunson, who is likely in line to take over the libero spot for Nevada. The setter spot is open for the Cubs, as that appears as a competition between sophomore Charli Wirtz and senior Tempy Carsrud. Aiva Sheets also brings back key experiences as a defensive back for the Cubs.
PCM
2025 was the first 20+ win season for PCM volleyball since the first year of the Bound era in 2007, as the Mustangs went 23-6 and finished 3rd in the conference. The Mustangs return a pair of explosive attackers in juniors Libby Winters and Peyton Lathrum, as Winters totaled 226 kills and 30 blocks as season ago, as Lathrum tallied 117 kills and a team-high 32 blocks last season. Senior Addyson Pederson also brings good production back after 96 kills and 23 blocks in 2025.
PCM’s back row has some holes to fill with 3 of their top 4 digs leaders, as well as their setter all departing. Libby Winters played well when called upon for the back row, as junior Ryan DeVore is likely in line to take over the libero spot. It could be a battle for the setter position between junior Camden Webb and senior Kailyn Padget.
Perry
A young Perry team went through some growing pains in 2025, as the Jayettes finished with a 7-24 record. Perry does lose kills leader Charity Parnell, but do return sophomore Kate Schuttler after 65 kills and 8 blocks, as well as senior Sheyanne Culp, who totaled 52 kills and a pair of blocks. Junior Addison Perks is also back after 41 kills and a team-high 9 blocks in 2025.
The back row has some holes to fill, losing both of their 100+ digs producers. Kalley Whelchel is the name to watch in leading things defensively in the back line, while Sheyanne Culp totaled 77 digs in 2025.
Saydel
A 6-17 mark in 2025 marked a continued improvement for the Eagles after 4 wins in 2024 and 3 wins in 2023. Saydel brings back much of the offensive production up front, led by senior Jocelyn Rivera, who finished with 58 kills and 10 blocks. Sophomore Emma Goode adds 56 kills returning, while senior Lauren Frantz presents a two-way threat with 36 kills and 13 blocks last season.
The Eagles back row is led by junior Ruby Thompson at setter, who finished 2025 with 249 assists and 25 kills. Emma Goode is the top returner in terms of digs, totaling 91 in 2025, as Milli Lo and Taylor Vessels are two that could help cement the young back row for Saydel.
West Marshall
It was a tough 5-27 mark in 2025 for a normally tough and competitive West Marshall program, but the Trojans have some pieces back to try and build back in 2026. Seniors Olivia Henderson and Ellie Andrews lead the attacking front, as the 2 combined for nearly 130 kills and 13 blocks. Fellow senior Elyse Ranson presents a formidable two-way threat with 55 kills and 8 blocks last season.
Junior setter Makaylie Tarbell leads the back row after 325 assists, 30 kills and 118 digs. Seniors Olivia Henderson and Ellie Andrews performed well in back row defensive duties last season, as a big question mark will be replacing the HOIAC’s digs leader in 2025 in Riley Randall.
Woodward-Granger
The new kids on the block in 2026, the Hawks bring back a strong core that was a game away from the 2A State Tournament in 2025. Woodward-Granger returns their top 3 attackers in juniors Alena Schaack, Calianna Fenceroy and Ella Tague, as Schaack led the unit with 345 kills, Fenceroy finished with 247 kills, while Tague tallied 201 kills and a team-high 52 blocks. Senior Harper Moran also poses a two-way threat in the front row with 66 kills and 45 blocks.
Woodward-Granger’s back row is a veteran one, despite losing digs leader Haley Hollingsworth. Senior Maileigh Genkinger and junior Madalyn Weaver led the back row returning with Genkinger totaling 280 digs last season and Weaver adding 224 digs. Junior Jill Jesse excelled at setter as a junior with 710 assists, 59 kills and 180 digs.