Volleyball is killer sport for girls
By Ecker Sports Report
Volleyball is the most popular sport for high schools girls in Iowa. By far. Nothing else is close.
According to the IGHSAU, more than 11,000 girls participated in volleyball last season, even though you have only six players on the floor and the rotation is usually limited to eight or nine.
Nonetheless, girls flock to the sport for the competition, fun and friendship.
The 2026 season begins Tuesday night and the Ecker Sports Report plans to post stories on all the matches and all the tournaments this year, all the way to the state tournament at the Xtream Arena in Coralvile in late November. That’s a lot of volleyball between now and then.
Five of the 16 teams in our coverage area begin the campaign in the IGHSAU rankings. Kennedy, with all of its starters back from a 25-18 team, is ranked No.6 in Class 5A and Prairie is ranked No.14 after finishing 18-20 last year.
Marion, with Coach Roxanne Paulsen on the cusp of 700 career victories, is ranked No.7 in Class 4A after going 28-14 a year ago. Abbey Kirk from Marion made second team all-state last year as a talented freshman and is back to lead the Wolves.
Mount Vernon, with a pair of all-state performers in Mavrik Schweer (third team) and Sophia Meester (fourth team), begins the season ranked No.7 in Class 3A after posting a 23-15 mark in 2025. Center Point-Urbana starts the season at No.11 in 3A.
